Russian finance minister vows retaliation in response to imposed sanctions.

Russian finance minister warns of retaliation against imposed sanctions.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has warned of retaliation against G7 countries' plans to utilize revenues from frozen Russian assets in assisting Ukraine. This was reported by Russian news agency TASS, quoting a comment made by Siluanov on journalist Pavel Zarubin's Telegram channel at Rossija-1. Should Russia's assets be used unlawfully by Western nations, he wrote in the comment, measures equivalent to those taken by the countries in question will be implemented.

14:31 The G7 nations have determined to financially aid UkraineG7 countries aim to continually provide financial assistance to Ukraine. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner confirmed this at the close of the G7 meeting in the Italian city of Stresa on Saturday. For this year, the funding is already secured. "But we want to go further," Lindner announced. The future plans involve exploring new means of support in 2025.

13:58 Paris intends to rename a street in honor of NavalnyThe French city of Paris intends to christen a street after prominent Russian Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Senators explained that Navalny embodies freedom, not only in Russia but internationally as well. The city council voted unanimously for the renaming; the street will be located in the prestigious 16th administrative district of Paris near the Russian embassy. Navalny passed away in prison in February, his relentless condemnation of the Russian assault on Ukraine having been well-documented.

13:37 Ukrainian investigators examine 125th Brigade in KharkivUkrainian investigators have opened a criminal probe against the 125th Brigade, deployed to defend the Kharkiv region in early May. On May 10th, Russia's latest offensive gained 10 kilometers of territorial ground in the region. Preliminary findings indicated that the brigade's defense preparations were insufficient and it was accused of neglect towards military service. Investigators plan to question the conduct of 30 leaders; the potential punishments have yet to be disclosed.

12:51 Lindner: Financial strain of G7 must be mitigated for Ukraine aidGerman Finance Minister Christian Lindner sees considerable challenges in securing additional financial aid for Ukraine from the G7. "We must reduce the risk for taxpayers, eliminate it," said Lindner, following discussions with the G7's finance ministers in Italy. The Western powers wish to use the earnings accrued from the Russian central bank's frozen assets for Ukraine's support. However, how this transfer should precisely take place is highly doubtful. The US suggested granting Ukraine a massive loan to be secured by the interest on the impounded funds. This loan is estimated to be worth approximately $50 billion. A decision is anticipated in mid-June, during the G7 leaders' meeting in Apulia.

12:17 Rogozin accuses West of involvement in Ukrainian assault on Russian radar system

An attack by Ukraine on a Russian early warning system for atomic rockets by way of a drone is the center of conflicting theories. Former Russian ambassador to NATO, Dmitri Rogozin, alleged that the US was either planning or at least cognizant of the attack. He asserted that these actions inadvertently draw the world closer to the brink of nuclear war.

11:48 Ukrainian military intelligence plans expansion of unmanned coastal ships

Information from the Ukrainian military intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov suggests plans to boost renewable unmanned ship technology for use in offensive operations against coastal areas and striking aerial targets. Budanov foresees unmanned ships eventually superseding conventional warships in the not-too-distant future. The technology would allegedly be especially advantageous in confined or semi-enclosed waters like the Black Sea or Mediterranean Sea.

11:17 Mangott identifies Russian motivation to create peril in the Baltic Sea

The potential expansion of Russian territorial waters in the Baltic Sea, as dictated by a proposed Russian Ministry of Defense law, has worried regional security planners. Security specialist Gerhard Mangott assessed this development.

10:55 Two Iskander missiles reportedly strike targets in Kharkiv

Reports emanating from the Kharkiv prosecutor's office indicate that Russian forces overnight bombarded the urban area with two Iskander missiles. Iskander-M, a missile system with the ability to travel 500 kilometers and be armed with nuclear missiles, features a highly flexible flight path. It is claimed that the projectiles have damaged a school and a residential building.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is getting into the discussion over the use of Western weapons against Russian military targets. In an interview with "The Economist," he shared yesterday that now is the time for allies to think about easing certain restrictions on the use of weapons they've given to Ukraine, considering how battles are happening near the border in Charkiv. Stoltenberg highlighted that self-defense is written into the UN Charter and is legal and legitimate. "We're aiding Ukraine in defending this right, which should involve the ability to attack targets on Russian territory."

At 9:24 AM, Ukraine allegedly took down a Russian radar station with drones. The radar station is part of Russia's early warning system for ballistic missile launches and nuclear warheads. OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) experts have linked it to controlling an area up to 6,000 km away.

08:42 AM: US analysts caution against a truce

Russian President Putin has openly talked about a ceasefire, but this could be dangerous for Ukraine, according to the U.S. think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). A truce could allow Russia to better prepare their forces for future offensive operations targeting a regime change, demilitarization of Ukraine, and conquering the country. The Kremlin may even contemplate that a locked-in front would make Ukraine's backing of the West less essential.

08:11 AM: CDU politician calls for lifting the debt brake for Ukraine's sake

CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter calls for the German government to declare a state of emergency due to the war in Ukraine. "The conflict can only be won with debt," says Kiesewetter to the magazine "Spiegel." Ukraine requires immediate help. It's bewildering why the federal government proclaimed the coronavirus pandemic a state of emergency to finance a €200 billion power and gas price ceiling, but the war does not meet the criteria for a state of emergency. If the federal government declares a state of emergency, the rigid regulations of the debt brake constitution could be suspended. For now, the FDP is strongly opposed to such a step in the traffic light coalition.

07:56 AM: Zelensky praises the success of Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv

As Ukraine receives another military aid package worth millions, Germany delivers a new air defense system to the country. In a video, Zelensky praises the achievements of his army.

07:23 AM: Ukrainian General Staff: 500,000 Russian casualties and counting

The Ukrainian General Staff accounts for 500,080 Russian losses since the start of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. In the last 24 hours, 1,140 more losses have been tallied. Russia is applying intense pressure against Ukrainian defenders at multiple front lines, coming at the cost of many of their own soldiers' lives. Ukraine has also reported 15 destroyed Russian tanks, 27 artillery systems, a missile defense system, and two multiple rocket launchers since the previous day.

07:07 AM: Ukrainian F-16 pilots are nearing readiness

The first group of Ukrainian F-16 pilots has completed their training in the United States and will move their instruction to Europe. The Ukrainian Air Force is anticipated to receive more than 60 F-16s from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The U.S., Great Britain, Romania, France, and Bulgaria have mobilized personnel, aircraft, and ground equipment to instruct the Ukrainians on flying and maintaining these combat aircraft.

06:33 AM: Ukrainian forces cease using certain American weapons due to Russian jammers

The Ukrainian military stopped using specific American weapons as their accuracy has significantly diminished. The Washington Post claims this includes several GPS-guided weapons, specifically Excalibur artillery shells and HIMARS systems, whose guidance is being interfered with by Russian jammers. The success rate of the U.S.-developed Excalibur shells dropped to less than 10%, striking their targets. The U.S. has halted delivering Excalibur to Ukraine. For HIMARS attacks, Russian jammers must be countered, possibly by attacking them with countermeasures.

04:34 AM: Stoltenberg: China's backing of Russia is crucial in Ukraine war

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg perceives China's support for Russia during the Russian offensive war to be "crucial." "China claims it wants to maintain positive relations with the West. At the same time, China is aiding Moscow in its warfare in Europe," Stoltenberg reveals to "Welt am Sonntag." Although it's unclear if China is supplying Russia with weapons or ammunition, there's been a noticeable increase in the sale of machine parts, microelectronics, and other technologies Russia utilizes to construct rockets, tanks, and airplanes used against Ukraine.

Hofreiter: Allow Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian targets

German politician Anton Hofreiter advocates for the removal of restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against Russian targets. As the chairman of the European Affairs Committee in the German parliament, Hofreiter remarks to Funke media group newspapers that this is about safeguarding the Ukrainian population and permitting them to defend themselves against Russian combat aircraft with the supplied Western weapons. Hofreiter asserts that international law allows a state under attack to target military targets on the aggressor's territory.

Ukraine Reports Russian Air Raids and "Partial Success" Near Kupiansk

The Ukrainian General Staff reports that Russian forces have conducted aerial attacks on Wotchansk, hitting the city with eight guided bombs. The Ukrainian army has thwarted ten Russian assaults on the city and its environs. Partial success has been achieved by the Russian armed forces near Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region and in the Pokrovsk sector in the Donetsk region.

Evacuations Planned in Charkiv Area

123 children from the northeastern region of the Kharkiv area will be evacuated. According to the Kyiv Independent, local authorities plan to initially transport the children to Charkiv and then to the northwestern region of Volhynia. Approximately 11,000 civilians have been evacuated since the beginning of the new Russian offensive.

Zelenskyy: "Combat Control" Restored in Charkiv Area

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that the Ukrainian army has regained control over the border region in the eastern Charkiv area, following a Russian ground offensive two weeks prior. "Our troops have now managed to take control of the combat control over the border area where the Russian invaders had entered," Zelenskyy mentioned in his evening video address. During a recent visit to Charkiv, the Russian forces had launched an attack in the border area, capturing several Ukrainian villages.

Russia Allegedly Holds Over 400 Ukrainian Women as Prisoners

403 Ukrainian women are currently imprisoned by Russia. Many are illegally detained civilians. Ukraine's Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reports this, adding that there are women who have been missing since 2014 whose fate remains unclear. The Russian side has disregarded numerous appeals calling for the return of these imprisoned women.

Kuleba: Putin Fears Success of Ukraine Peace Summit

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to sabotage the upcoming peace summit of Ukraine in Switzerland. In response to news of Putin's reported readiness for peace talks, Kuleba states, "Putin is trying frantically to prevent the peace summit in Switzerland from succeeding. He is frightened of its success."

"Drone Wall": NATO Members Plan Border Protection Wall

Lithuania discloses plans among the six NATO members bounding Russia to construct a "drone wall" to secure their borders. As reported by the news agency BNS, following discussions with Estonian, Latvian, Finnish, Norwegian, and Polish counterparts, Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite explains their intention to defend against "provocations by unfriendly countries." The wall would run from Norway to Poland, utilizing drones and other technologies to monitor borders and combat smuggling. No timetable for the project has been provided, with security concerns caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine providing the impetus.

The United States Provides More Military Aid to Ukraine

In response to the Russian offensive war, the United States has approved additional military assistance to aid Ukraine. Worth $275 million (about €253 million), the new package includes ammunition for HIMARS-type multiple rocket launchers and artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters. This is the fifth installment of aid endorsed by President Joe Biden since the US Congress sanctioned funds for Kiev totaling around $61 billion (€56.2 billion). Aiming to provide swift aid delivery, the new support will enable the Ukrainian military to safeguard their nation and shield its citizens. Since the opening of Russia's offensive war against Ukraine more than two years ago, the United States has made available $50 billion in military aid to Kiev, as per Pentagon statistics.

Russia Mandates Soviet-Era Military Training for Teenagers

Children and teenagers in Russia now must take an extra obligatory subject this academic year: "Basics of Life Safety" educates them on military fundamentals such as shooting or treating wounds.

7:55 PM: "On-the-ground Reality": Putin lays out terms for Ukraine talks

Nearly three years into his aggression against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his readiness to sit down for negotiations - but not with the aim of recovering occupied and illegally taken territories. "We'll be getting back into talks," Putin stated during a visit to friendly neighboring country Belarus, as per Interfax news agency reports. He then clarified, "Yes, let's go back to them. But not starting from what one side wants, but rather (...) from the actualities that have emerged on the ground." Russia has been openly battling Ukraine since February 2022 and presently holds around one-fifth of their neighboring country. Ukraine has persistently made it clear that the removal of Russian soldiers from its land is a prerequisite for enduring peace.