14:36: Multiple explosions reported in Kharkiv as Russians launch attack

Russians launch assault on Kharkiv, multiple explosions heard.

The urban area is noisy. There are several explosions. Take caution, warned Mayor Igor Terekhov of Kharkiv on Telegram. This implies the Russians are targeting Kharkiv.

14:06 Poland boosts investment on boundary with Russia and BelarusPoland plans to commit more than two billion euros to reinforce its eastern boundary. The "Eastern Shield" initiative involves establishing a fortification system on the edges of Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, as stated by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The expansion of the 400-kilometer-long border aims to function as a deterrent, a strategy to keep the fighting from approaching our borders, Tusk said.

13:37 Ukraine records 22 skirmishes, 8 of which are still in progressThe Ukrainian army reported that since the previous night, 22 "military skirmishes" have transpired on the frontline. 8 of these incidents are still active, as informed by the General Staff. "Furthermore, the Russian intruders employed 25 kamikaze drones and perpetrated 547 attacks on the positions of our troops," a statement stated.

13:02 Odessa assaulted with missilesThe Russian troops responsible for the southern area of Ukraine indicated that Russia has launched a missile strike against the Odessa region. "Reputedly at around 6 a.m., the Russian occupiers struck against Odessa again with a ballistic missile (probably Iskander-M)," the declaration read.

12:53 Kharkiv village liberated by RussiaAccording to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian troops have "liberated" the village of Staryzia in the Kharkiv region. The troops are still proceeding with the operations in this area, per the ministry. Russian troops began their offensive in the Kharkiv region a week ago, opening up a third front in addition to the ones in the east and south.

12:42 Ukrainian soldiers trying to drive back Russians in Kharkiv regionUkrainian soldiers are attempting to push back the Russians toward the village of Hlyboke in the Kharkiv region, reported the Ukrainian news agency RBC, citing the Ukrainian army. Hlyboke is situated roughly 40 kilometers from Kharkiv and 10 kilometers from the Russian border. "Our defenders are trying to scale back the adversary towards the Hlyboke settlement," the Ukrainian General Staff said in a statement.

12:10 Fourth fatality from Russians' Kharkiv bombingThe number of casualties after Friday's Russian bombing of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has reached four. A 33-year-old man, who was injured, has passed away in the hospital, according to Governor Oleh Synyehubov. After Russians targeted Kharkiv's Shevchenkiv district with two glide bombs, 31 people were injured. The conditions of two of the injured are critical, Synjehubow added. Additionally, a woman was hurt when Russia fired a glide bomb at the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, which damaged several multi-story buildings, a hospital, and a kindergarten.

11:41 Jäger: "Russia's influence on Germany is robust"President Zelensky plans to utilize the weapons provided by the West not only for defending Ukraine, but potentially on Russian soil. However, Europe, the USA, and political scientist Thomas Jäger hold contrasting viewpoints. While Russia is also swaying Germany, Jäger noted.

11:22 One fatality and another injured in Russian border region Kursk from Ukrainian drone attack. In the Russian border region of Kursk, a person is declared to have been killed and another injured in a Ukrainian drone strike, according to regional Governor Alexei Smirnov. It's difficult to verify the accuracy of information from Russian authorities regarding potential attacks and victims.

11:09 Weakened Russian air defenses and airspace monitoring in Crimea, claims LondonThe British Ministry of Defense asserts that Russian air defenses in Crimea have been weakened due to the recent Ukrainian attacks. It's likely that Russia will need to deploy its air forces more extensively to maintain them. If not, there's a possibility of them losing more planes, the daily intelligence update from Britain's Ministry of Defense stated.

Russia experiences more challenges since it lost one of its Beriev A-50 airfcraft, prime for surveillance, in January, February, and March. This will most likely cause Russia to "probably increase flight hours and combat aircraft patrol deployment rates to fill holes in coverage, which will result in enhanced maintenance concerns for their fleets."

10:32 Nearly 10,000 individuals evacuated to safety in the Kharkiv regionAfter the commencement of the Russian ground offensive in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv a week ago, authorities claim that almost 10,000 individuals have been displaced from gravely imperiled villages. Governor Oleh Synegubov mentioned that more than 9,900 people have been relocated. Since Monday, Russian troops have been able to advance 5-10 kilometers along the northeastern border.

In a recent poll by the Russian think tank Levada Institute, it was discovered that Russians have a high level of support for their military forces. Three-quarters of Russians back their armed forces. If Russian President Vladimir Putin were to halt military action, 71% of Russians would agree with the decision. This support declines to 30% if it involves relinquishing newly-conquered lands.

9:51am - Former USSR territories have experienced shelling since the commencement of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. ntv reporter Jürgen Weichert discusses several feasible reasons - including the allure of the cities as tourist attractions. However, the Ukranians also possess live ammunition.

9:32am - SPD members of the German parliament are advocating for allies to safeguard Ukrainian airspace through their NATO-allied nations. SPD defense expert Joe Weingarten expressed his viewpoint to Der Spiegel that deploying German surface-to-air missiles on NATO soil near the Ukrainian border would be necessary and responsible. Weingarten emphasized that this would not involve military personnel in Ukraine.

SPD budget politician Andreas Schwarz considers air defense an important issue for Ukraine. He discussed the possibility of securing Ukrainian airspace through NATO allies due to Ukraine's shortage of defense systems and missiles, with which to protect its civilians and infrastructure.

9:15am - The Ukrainian government requested the US's assistance in locating targets in Russia which could be subsequently attacked by Ukrainian forces. The US officials and defense department leaders confirmed that Ukraine had sought permission to utilize American weaponry against Russian military targets within Russia, as per a report by Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal.

9:04am - Zeinzenkij, the Ukrainian President, stated in an interview with the French news agency AFP that Ukraine and its Western allies have shared values even if their positions on ending the war differed. He further stated, "We are in a bizarre scenario where the West is concerned about Russia's defeat, and they don't want Ukraine to lose." This proclamation was followed by Zelenskyi advocating for China and other nations in the Global South to join a forthcoming peace conference in June. Neither Russia nor Zwiss, the conference host, has officially received an invitation from the Ukraine or the conference organizers.

8:27am - The Russian armed forces are reportedly reinforcing their naval base in Novorossiysk to prevent airborne drone attacks from Ukraine. The Russian cities of Novorossiysk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, both situated on the Black Sea, have endured drone assaults. After such an attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea in September 2023, numerous warships were sent to Novorossiysk.

7:50am - Ukraine shares daily updates on their Facebook page regarding Russian military casualties. According to their report, Russian losses increased by 1210 soldiers on Friday, bringing the total over the course of the war to 491,080 soldiers. A further 43 armored combat vehicles, two aircraft, and a helicopter were reportedly destroyed. However, the information has not been independently verified.

7:23am - The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claims that the US's demands are contributing to Ukrainian defense limitations. Restricting the usage of American munitions for attacks on Russian territories results in a Russian buffer zone that remains invulnerable to Ukrainian assault, where they can target Ukrainian metropolitan areas and military bases with heavy rockets and missiles at will, according to the institute. Such a policy, as the ISW observed, critically undermines Ukraine's capacity to protect itself against Russian operations in Northern Kharkiv.

7:05am - Ukrainian forces allegedly shot down 13 Iranian Shahed drones throughout the night. Reports broadcasted by Ukrainian media cited Ukrainian air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk. Supposedly, the drones, normally capable of flying from the Russian port city of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea and the Russian oblast of Kursk, were ousted by Ukrainian air defense systems.

06:49 Explosion in Belgorod after missile alarm

There was an explosion in the Russian border region of Belgorod following a missile alert, reported the Russian state news agency Tass early on Saturday morning. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov alerted residents via his Telegram channel, advising them to seek safety. The region, which has become frequently targeted as a result of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, has suffered disproportionate casualties and damage.

06:43 Intensified shelling at Krynky bridgehead by Russians

The Russian invasion force is intensifying its shelling of Ukrainian positions in the Krynky area. Per information by the Institute for the Study of War, Ukraine had established a bridgehead in Krynky on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. Despite the increased Russian attacks, the front line has remained unchanged.

The Russians also continued their offensive towards Kharkiv, although no changes to the front line could be confirmed. Putin had previously stated that Russia intended to create a "buffer zone" in the Kharkiv region. The Russian army is not currently aiming to capture the city.

06:14 Explosions in St. Petersburg not a terrorist act

The Russian military claims the explosions that occurred at the Budyonny Military Academy in St. Petersburg (entry 20:56) were a result of an accidental detonation of Second World War ammunition. Reports from Interfax state that the incident happened when soldiers were checking underground areas of the academy. Governor Alexander Beglov deems it irrelevant to any terrorism-related activities.

06:02 Klingbeil expresses hope for Chinese participation in Swiss peace conference

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil remains optimistic about China's potential agreement to join the Swiss Ukraine peace conference. "It would, of course, be crucial for this peace conference to have China present", he told the German Press Agency. India, Brazil, and South Africa are also highlighted as potential participants, although their absence would not render the conference a failure, according to Klingbeil.

05:43 Zelenskyy critiques Western weapons restrictions

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticizes limitations on the use of Western weapons, as Russia can freely fire all weapons from its territory into Ukraine. Ukraine, however, cannot damage Russian weapons on Russian soil with its Western arms. The UK and the US have suggested that these restrictions could be removed.

05:10 Ukrainian chief commander: Russian front near Kharkiv stretches 70km

Ukrainian army commander Olexander Syrskyi noted via Telegram that Russian ground troops continue their offensive in the area near Kharkiv, starting a week ago. The new front line, extended to roughly 70km, threatens to draw further Ukrainian brigades from their reserves. Regardless, the enemy has not managed to break the Ukrainian defenses. Russian forces are deploying air force, missiles, artillery, and tanks in their assaults. Syrskyi sees an advantage for the Ukrainians in the use of drones and more precise artillery fire.

03:35 Zelenskyy: Kharkiv offensive could be "first wave" of Russian attacks

Zelenskyy speculated to AFP that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region could signify the first wave of Russian assaults. "They are launching their operation; it could comprise several waves. And this is their first wave," he mentioned.

02:17 Zelenskyy: Ukraine requires 130 fighter jets to counter Russian air superiority

President Zelenskyy estimates that Ukraine only possesses a quarter of the air defense systems necessary to defend itself against Russia. He also notes the need for 120 to 130 F16 fighter jets to oust Russian air superiority. He further acknowledges that the lack of soldiers contributes to the morale issues encountered by their troops.

00:17 Zelenskyy urges energy conservation amid grid damage

In light of the damage done to Ukraine's power grid, President Zelenskyy urged citizens to save electricity. In his evening video message, he discussed the challenging situation of the energy system, which has been damaged by Russian attacks, with the government and the military. He reported that Ukraine's energy sector had sustained significant losses. Major efforts are required to restructure the energy supply, rendering it less vulnerable to further Russian attacks.

11:59pm - Ukrainians Overseas Can Receive Help from Consulates Again

As the mobilization law takes effect, Ukrainian men abroad can access consular services once more, provided they present documentation proving they're registered with the military authorities, be it physical or electronic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv shared the information in the evening.

22:59pm - Unicredit Targeted by Freeze on Assets and Accounts by RusChimAllianz

An examination at a court in St. Petersburg has brought about the immobilization of accounts and assets from Unicredit, an Italian bank in Russia. Requesting this action was RusChimAllianz, a Gazprom subsidiary functioning a LNG facility on the Baltic Sea, as per local news agencies. RusChimAllianz wants €444 million back from Unicredit. The assets worth €463 million are going to be immobilized. Unicredit, the greatest foreign financial institution remaining in Russia after Raiffeisenbank, ranks amongst the 20 largest banks in the country regarding assets.

9:55pm - Suspended Terms for Some Ukrainian Prisoners to Be Called into Military Service

To increase the troops, some prisoners are to be drafted into the Ukrainian army. From now on, those with specific convictions can be suspended from their punishment and head to the battlefield on a temporary contract basis. However, serious criminals are ineligible to participate in this program.

9:36pm - At the Start of the Russian Offensive, All Starlink Devices of a Ukrainian Military Unit Failed

On 10 May, when Russia started its entry into the Kharkiv border region, all Starlink devices of a Ukrainian military unit were out of service, as per a news report. Members of the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade claim Starlink, the satellite communications system, failed. Washington Post cited these sources, stating Russian electronic warfare systems were behind the act. This marks the first widespread failure of the satellite communication system in Ukraine since the Russian invasion.

9:06pm - Multiple Injured in St. Petersburg Explosion at Budyonny Military Academy

Explosions were reported at the Budyonny military academy in St. Petersburg, according to multiple Russian media sources. RIA, a state news agency, quoted local officials asserting a resident had lodged a report about the memory of an explosion taking place at the academy. Baza, a Telegram channel connected to law enforcement, confirmed seven casualties.