15:22: Russian military progresses in Donetsk region.

Russian soldiers keep pushing forward in Donetsk, according to recent media updates.

Russian soldiers have allegedly seized control of the village of Archangelske in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, reports Interfax. Furthermore, they have made progress in the northeastern region of Kharkiv and successfully defended against two Ukrainian counterattacks, claims the Russian Defense Ministry. At present, no official comment from the Ukrainian administration has been issued.

14:59 Russia's Finance Minister hints at reprisals for sanctions

Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has suggested reprisals in response to plans by G7 countries to utilize seized Russian assets to aid Ukraine. This information was distributed by the Russian news agency TASS, citing a remark made by Siluanov on Pavel Zarubin of the TV station Rossija-1's Telegram channel. If Russia's assets are used unlawfully by Western nations, Russia will respond with reciprocal actions, Siluanov contends in the comment.

14:31 G7 countries aim to provide long-term financial assistance to Ukraine

The G7 countries intend to continue financially supporting Ukraine in the long term, confirms German Finance Minister Christian Lindner during the G7 summit in the northern Italian city of Stresa. This year's financing is already secured, as announced by Lindner. "We want to go even further," he added. The focus is on new ways in 2025.

14:06 Paris expects to christen a street after Navalny

Paris plans to honor Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny by naming a street after him. "Navalny has become a symbol of freedom for Russia and beyond," explained a senator yesterday. The city council has unanimously chosen to rename the street, which will be located in the affluent 16th arrondissement - close to the Russian embassy.

13:47 Ukrainian authorities probe their own brigade in Kharkiv

Ukrainian investigators have initiated an inquiry into the 125th Brigade, deployed to defend Kharkiv in early May. A Russian offensive began on May 10, advancing up to 10 kilometers into the region. The preliminary investigation uncovered a lack of proper organization in the defense of their positions by the brigade, accusing it of falling short of its military obligations. Up to 30 commanders and commanders will be scrutinized, but no information about potential punishments has surfaced.

12:51 Lindner foresees hurdles in securing further financial support for Ukraine

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner foresees obstacles in arranging further monetary assistance for Ukraine amongst G7 members. "The risks for taxpayers must be minimized, excluded," he stated after a meeting with G7 finance heads in northern Italy. The leading Western industrial countries intend to utilize the profits from frozen Russian central bank funds to aid Ukraine. The specifics of how to do so is contentious. The United States has recommended a large loan, backed by interest from the frozen Russian central bank resources, potentially worth around $50 billion. A resolution is hoped for around mid-June, during the G7 summit in Apulia.

12:17 Rogozin cites retaliation for Ukrainian drone attack on Russian early warning system

Ukraine is alleged to have damaged a Russian early warning system for atomic rockets using a drone. Ex-Russian ambassador to NATO Dmitri Rogozin, now a senator in the Russian Federation Council, has addressed the system: "This is a vital factor in the military supervision of strategic nuclear forces." Rogozin blames the United States for either planning or knowing about the attack. Stating that such acts push the world closer to nuclear combat.

11:48 Budanov: Unmanned vessels will replace conventional warships in the future

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's chief of military intelligence, has disclosed that Ukraine is strengthening its fleet of uncrewed vessels to strike coasts and target airborne targets. According to the Ukrainian agency Nexta, he believes that uncrewed ships will eventually replace traditional warships entirely. Specifically, in the confines of the Black Sea or the Mediterranean, Budanov sees uncrewed vessels as the future.

11:17 Mangott: Russia aims to generate insecurity in the Baltic Sea

The Russian Defense Ministry's proposed law is causing unease among defense policymakers in the Baltic Sea. According to the "Moscow Times," the Kremlin appears to be angling to broaden its territorial seas in the Baltic. Security expert Gerhard Mangott comments on the situation.

10:55 Russian Iskander missiles shell city in Kharkiv overnight

Allegedly, Russian soldiers launched two Iskander missiles at Kharkiv overnight, reports the prosecutor's office in a Kharkiv district. Iskander-M is a system that features missiles with flight paths that are exceptionally flexible, making them difficult to intercept. It is said that they damaged a school and a residential structure.

10:04 Stoltenberg endorses relaxation of restrictions on Western weapons

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg advocates loosening constraints on weapons furnished to Ukraine. "Of course, it is far too early to discuss specific types of weapons," he stated during a news conference after a meeting of ministers in Berlin. However, he did state that they would explore providing additional military assistance, as Ukraine's security depends on NATO member countries.

The NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, has weighed in on the ongoing debate about Western support for Ukraine's struggle against military targets in Russia. In a recent conversation with "The Economist," he proposed that it might be time for allies to reconsider some restrictions on the weapons they have supplied to Ukraine, especially given the intense fighting near the border in Kharkiv. Stoltenberg maintained that self-defense is a right protected under the UN Charter, and thus legal and legitimate. "We are aiding Ukraine in upholding this right, and that should include the right to strike targets on Russian soil," he stated.

9:24 Ukrainian drones allegedly attack a Russian radar station in Krasnodar

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ukrainian drones have targeted a crucial radar station in the Russian area of Krasnodar. This station forms part of the Russian early warning system for ballistic missile launches and nuclear-armed missile launches. According to open-source intelligence experts, the radar station covers an area of up to 6,000 kilometers.

9:08 Russian President Putin mulls a ceasefire, but it's risky for Ukraine

President Putin has publicly spoke about a ceasefire, but it could be dangerous for Ukraine, says the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). A ceasefire might allow Russia to enhance its military forces in preparation for future offensives aimed at destabilizing Ukraine's government, demilitarizing the country, and seizing it completely. Additionally, the Kremlin could calculate that a frozen front would reduce the sense of urgency regarding Ukraine's crisis for the West.

8:41 CDU politician, Kiesewetter, calls for exemptions to Germany's debt brake due to the war

Roderich Kiesewetter, a foreign policy expert for Germany's CDU party, appealed to the German government to declare a nationwide emergency over the Ukraine war. "The war can only be won through debt," he stated in an interview with "Spiegel." Ukraine is desperate for aid, and it's puzzling that the government has declared Covid-19 a state of emergency to finance a 200 billion euro power and gas price cap, but not the Ukraine conflict. By proclaiming a state of emergency, the strict debt brake provisions could be overruled. However, the FDP coalition partner rejects such a move.

7:55 Zelensky celebrates Ukrainian troops' success in Kharkiv

The United States is providing Ukraine with another multi-million-dollar military aid package. In addition, a German air defense system is en route to the country. Zelensky also shared a video announcing his army's achievements.

7:30 Ukrainian General Staff: Russia losses approach half a million fighters

The Ukrainian General Staff estimates Russia has lost nearly half a million soldiers since the full-scale invasion in early 2022. In the last 24 hours, there were 1140 additional casualties. The Russian forces are exerting immense pressure on Ukrainian opponents at numerous frontlines while incurring heavy losses of their own. Ukraine has also confirmed destructing 15 tanks, 27 artillery systems, a missile shield, and two multiple rocket launchers.

7:05 First group of Ukrainian F-16 pilots completes training in the US, set for Europe

A cohort of Ukrainian F-16 pilots recently concluded their training in the United States and is now moving to Europe for additional training. These pilots and ground staff have been in training for almost a year. They are expected to be mission-ready against Russian airforces by this summer. Ukraine is set to receive more than 60 F-16s from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium, along with the US, Britain, France, Romania, and Bulgaria. These countries, along with the United States, Great Britain, Romania, France, and Bulgaria, have mobilized personnel, aircraft, and ground equipment to train the Ukrainians in aircraft operation and maintenance.

6:30 US weapons ineffective due to Russian jamming devices

Ukraine has stopped using certain American weapons due to their decreased accuracy. The Washington Post reports that this issue specifically affects GPS-guided weapons - mainly Excalibur artillery shells and HIMARS systems. The USSR-designed jamming devices have significantly degraded the effectiveness of the US-developed Excalibur shells to less than 10 percent. The USA has ceased supplying the Excalibur to Ukraine. For HIMARS attacks, the enemy's jamming devices need to be countered first, either by employing smoke shells.

04:34 Stoltenberg states that China's backing of Russia is crucial in the Ukraine conflict. "China claims they want to maintain good connections with the West. At the same time, China is fueling the war in Europe," remarks Stoltenberg in an interview with 'Welt am Sonntag.' Although China is not directly providing weapons or ammunition to its ally Russia, there has been a significant increase in the sale of components, microelectronics, and other technologies that Moscow utilizes to produce rockets, tanks, and planes for use against Ukraine, according to Stoltenberg.

03:06 Hofreiter urges that Ukraine should be allowed to employ Western weapons against enemy aircraft in Russian territory. "It's about protecting the Ukrainian population. Hence, we shouldn't hinder Ukraine from using the supplied weapons to repel Russian combat jets in Russian airspace," expresses Anton Hofreiter, leader of the Green foreign policy group and chairperson of the European Affairs Committee in the German Bundestag, to Funke media group papers. "International law permits a state that is attacked to retaliate against military targets in the aggressor's territory."

02:01 Ukraine discloses Russian air raids on Wowtschansk and partial success near Kupiansk. The Ukrainian General Staff informs that Russian forces have launched air assaults on the city of Wowtschansk. Eight guided missiles have been fired at the city. Ukrainian troops have успешно repelled ten Russian attacks on the city and its surroundings. The Russian army has reportedly achieved some success near Kupiansk, further east in the Kharkiv region, and in the Pokrovsk district in the Donetsk region.

01:30 Plans for further evacuations in the Kharkiv area. 123 children from the northeastern Kharkiv region are scheduled to be evacuated. Pray tell, as detailed by "Kyiv Independent," the local authorities intend to initially transport the youngsters to Charkiv and then to the northwestern area of Volhynia. Nearly 11,000 civilians have been evacuated since the beginning of the new Russian offensive.

23:23 Zelenskyy claims control of border region in Charkiv area has been reestablished. Per the Ukrainian president, the Ukrainian military has regained control of the border region in the eastern part of the Charkiv region where Russian invaders had infiltrated. "Our troops have regained control of the border region where the Russian invaders had infiltrated," states Zelenskyy in his evening video address. He had previously visited Charkiv. The Russian military had launched a ground offensive two weeks ago in the border area and had occupied several Ukrainian villages.

22:22 Over 400 Ukrainian women held in Russian captivity. At present, 403 Ukrainian women are being kept captive by the Russians. Many of them are civilians who have been unlawfully detained. Thus states "Ukrinform," quoting a report from the Ukrainian Coordinatiсon Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. It is also revealed that there are women missing since 2014, and their fate remains unclear. The Russian side has staunchly disregarded numerous pleas demanding the release of the detained women.

22:02 Kuleba asserts Putin aims to undermine the upcoming Ukraine peace summit. "Putin wishes to thwart the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland on June 15 and 16. He is afraid of its success," declares Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in response to news articles alleging Putin's openness to peace negotiations. Putin does not desire to conclude the entire war waged by Russia, insists Kuleba.

21:40 Border defense through a 'drone wall' between Norway and Poland desired by NATO members bordering Russia. The six NATO member nations surrounding Russia aspire to establish a 'drone wall' to safeguard their borders and repel 'provocations' from dangerous nations, as per Lithuania. The objective of the 'drone wall' stretching from Norway to Poland is to use drones and sophisticated technology to protect our borders," says Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite to BNS after consultations with colleagues from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Norway, and Poland. Bilotaite adds that the scheme entails not only preventing 'provocations by unfriendly countries' but also combating contraband. In addition to drones for border monitoring, anti-drone systems will be used. The Interior Minister doesn't provide a projected timeline for the project. The backdrop for border strengthening is worries concerning security due to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

21:18 USA announces additional military assistance for Ukraine. The United States will provide more military aid to Ukraine, as disclosed.

America is boosting military support for Ukraine to combat Russia's onslaught. A fresh package valued at $275 million (~253 million euros) contains ammunition for the HIMARS rocket launchers and artillery shells with both 155 and 105 millimeter calibers, as announced by the US State Department. This marks the fifth installment of assistance endorsed by President Biden since the US allocated roughly $61 billion (~56.2 billion euros) for Ukraine in late April. The previous shipments have already reached the battlefield, the agency confirmed. The fresh armaments will be delivered "as rapidly as possible" to ensure the Ukrainian military defend their nation and safeguard their citizens, they added. Over the past two and a half years since Russia launched a military offensive against Ukraine, the US has given nearly $50 billion in military aid to Kiev, according to Pentagon data.

8:20 Soviet-era artifact: Russian youths experience military training

instituted a new mandatory subject for students in Russia during the current academic year: "Basics of Life Safety," in which they learn fundamental military skills such as shooting or treating injuries.

17:45 "Realism in negotiations": Putin lays out conditions for peace talks with Ukraine

Nearly three years after beginning his war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his willingness to engage in negotiations - but only under his terms. "We'll discuss resuming negotiations again," Putin remarked during a visit to neighboring ally Belarus, as per Interfax news agency. He continued by stating, "Let's get back to them. But not from what one side desires, but rather (...) from the scenarios that have emerged on the ground." Russia openly escalated hostilities against Ukraine in February 2022 and continues to hold approximately one-fifth of Ukraine's territory. Kiev has long insisted that the return of Russian forces from their lands is a precondition for long-term peace.

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