Selenskyj unveils fresh measures at 20:54.
In his evening speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expresses gratitude to the soldiers on the front line in the Donetsk region. This area experiences the most intense pressure with daily battles. He assures them that they, along with the entire army, will be equipped with more weapons, gear, and advanced systems. Ukraine is planning its next steps, he adds, emphasizing that it will defend itself.
At 20:31, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi visits the soldiers of the 79th separate airborne brigade stationed in Donbass. He expresses pride in each soldier and awards them medals. He highlights how their determination has thwarted the enemy's plan to occupy their territory, paving the way for its liberation.
Ukraine intends to begin testing homegrown guided bombs in a few weeks, as announced by Serhiy Golubtsov, a top officer in the Air Force, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
At 19:57, Ukrainian military plans to test domestically-produced guided bombs in the next few weeks. Golubtsov shares this information in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Around 19:16, during an airstrike on the Russian airfield of Achtubinsk, a second modern combat aircraft may have been damaged alongside a previously reported one. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence service (HUR) discloses this on Ukrainian TV. Preliminary reports indicate two Sukhoi Su-57 jets might have been damaged simultaneously, although this remains to be verified.
Kharkiv faced another Russian artillery attack on its residential area at 18:44. Governor Oleg Sinegubov discloses that a guided bomb hit the residential area, but it's undetermined if there are any casualties. Mayor Igor Terekhov reports multiple damaged buildings.
According to a USA today, the Russian offensive in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv has stalled. Jake Sullivan, US President Joe Biden's national security adviser, provided this evaluation during an appearance on CBS. "The momentum of this operation in Kharkiv has come to a standstill," Sullivan claims. "Kharkiv is still threatened, but the Russians have not been able to make substantial progress in that area in the last few days." Previously, Biden lifted restrictions that prevented Ukraine from using weapons given by the US on Russian land. This has also enabled German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to greenlight German weapons to be used against targets in Russia's border zones.
The ISW strategy digests reports that Russia might be relocating troops from Kherson to Kharkiv. However, it is unclear if Moscow plans to deploy these troops immediately on the battlefield or as reinforcements for the North military group. Ukrainian and Chechen sources have been cited.
17:24 Russia's coercion of migrants to join the army in Kharkiv
Russia is allegedly forcing thousands of migrants from Africa to join the fight in Kharkiv. This would increase the number of troops in the offensive against the city. Russian officials are said to have threatened these individuals that visa extensions would not be granted unless they joined the front. African students and young workers are left with the option of fighting or facing an extension denial.
16:40 Biden and Macron reach agreement on handling Russian assets
US President Joe Biden declares he has made an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron on managing confiscated Russian assets. Both agree to utilize funds from these seized assets to support Ukraine. More details have not emerged.
16:23 Incidents in Belgorod region, Russia confirms drone shootdowns
There are rumors of an explosion in the Belgorod region, as shared by the Russian-learning Telegram channel Astra, where residents have shared videos of the event. A munitions depot in Rakityansky district is believed to have caught fire in the afternoon. Russia's Defense Ministry reveals that several Ukrainian drones have been brought down over the Belgorod region.
15:44 Troop gathering on the outskirts of Chassiv Yar
The ISW research indicates that Russia is believed to be amassing troops on the outskirts of Chassiv Yar. The purpose of these deployments is uncertain, but they could be for immediate combat action or as reinforcement for the northern military group.
Russian troops are believed to be set up on the edges of Chassiv Yar in eastern Ukraine, as reported by the Ukrainian news platform Ukrajinska Prawda, citing a military insider. Apparently, the Russians have been striving to collect their forces in houses for around a week. They've carried out more than 1,500 bombardments, as per the source, using multiple rocket launchers and guided air bombs to secure their supply lines on the route from Bachmut to Chassiv Yar. "And they started to push forward as troops were gathering under the protection of first-person-view drones," says the Ukrainian insider. "The city center is in our control," he concludes.
14:57 Pilots Displayed in Russian Drone Footage from Ukrainian Forces
The Ukrainian military shared a video on Telegram showing the pilots of a Yak-52 aircraft with open canopies, affirming the plane's purpose for air defense. The plane was presumably operating in the Mykolajiw region. The pilots are prominently visible using the camera of a Russian reconnaissance drone. According to the "Kyiv Post" and "Militarnyi" news portal, the co-pilot shot down the drone. However, this information hasn't been independently verified.
13:58 Ukrainian Intelligence: HUR Claims Responsibility for Attacking Russian Combat Jet
The Ukrainian intelligence service (HUR) takes responsibility for the drone attack on a modern Russian combat jet positioned 600 kilometers from the border in Russian territory in the south. A HUR source alleges that the strike was carried out using a drone manufactured in Ukraine. The HUR has a history of bold operations on Russian soil and in Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions.
13:27 Kremlin Plans to Consolidate Occupied Territories into a 'Novorossiya' Federal District
The Russian administration intends to consolidate the occupied territories in four southeastern regions and the Crimean Peninsula into a federal district named "Novorossiya." This news was shared by the regional military administration leader of Luhansk, Artem Lysohor, on Telegram. He suggests that locals are not given a choice for the name as "there is only one option - Novorossiya." He also highlights that these territorial units lack legal status. Following the holidays, schoolchildren will study local history through a Russian textbook.
12:57 Ukrainian Brigade Commander: Western Weapons' Permission Had Immediate Impact on Conflict
A Ukrainian brigade commander stated in an interview with Radio NV that the authorization to target Russian territory with Western weapons "immediately affected" the course of the conflict. From the military's perspective, "Step 1" was the current permission from Western nations and "Step 2" would be further extending permissions to Russian territory.
12:35 Record: 103 Russian Attacks on Settlements, 93 on Infrastructure Since Yesterday
The Ukrainian military recorded 103 attacks on settlements and 93 on infrastructure from Russian forces since the previous day. According to the report, ten regions faced these attacks. In Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium, at least three individuals were killed, houses were damaged, and a school was harmed.
12:09 Women's Participation Surges in the Ukrainian Army
Over 67,000 women are currently part of the Ukrainian armed forces, mostly as soldiers. While there is no mandatory conscription targeting women following Russia's large-scale attack in 2022, the number of female members in the army has soared by 40%. Unlike in the past, many of these women are now willing to take up responsibilities like shooting, operating artillery systems, or handling drones. The government is realizing the importance of providing career prospects for women.
11:31 Government Initiates State Register to Track Explosive and Mined Areas in Ukraine
The Ukrainian government plans to establish a state registry to monitor the explosive and mined areas. This system is crucial to follow the demining status of regions "almost in real time." It's especially critical for farmers to know if their land is still polluted or has been cleared after the hostilities concluded. In the battlefield area, there are numerous potential threats post-conflict. Security expert Gustav Gressel comments, "We have North Korean ammunition from the 50s with a dud rate of over 30%." "The post-war situation in Ukraine will consist of hundreds of square kilometers of minefields."
Many Germans yearn for the reinstatement of the conscription-based army. A study by YouGov on behalf of "Welt am Sonntag" found that 60% of respondents support the idea of introducing compulsory military service completely (28%), or partially (32%). However, this leaves 32% opposed to it - 18% are strongly opposed and 14% are not entirely against it. Military conscription has been suspended since 2011. Prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, discussions are underway about how to significantly expand the Bundeswehr.
10:32 Ukraine: First strong attack on Russia's most advanced fighter jet
Ukrainian military intelligence has reported a successful strike on a Su-57 fighter jet. On Friday, satellite imagery showed the aircraft unharmed at an airfield in Astrakhan, Russia, which is about 600 kilometers from the border. But on Saturday, the jet was damaged after an attack on the field. Yesterday, Russia reported a drone strike on several regions, including Astrakhan. The Su-57 is Russia's most advanced fighter jet, capable of carrying missiles and still relatively new - only a few have been operationalized in the army.
10:11 ISW: Russia's soldiers are insufficient for a major summer offensive
The US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that Russia is mobilizing 30,000 soldiers each month, some of whom are being deployed as reinforcements to the front lines. However, it's not enough troops for large-scale offensive operations across multiple fronts during the summer. These new soldier reserves won't be able to take on the main offensive roles that such large-scale operations would require.
09:27 UN: At least 174 Ukrainian civilians killed in May
At least 174 civilian casualties were reported in Ukraine last month, according to the UN mission there. During the month, 690 other civilians were wounded. The United Nations blamed the high number of casualties on the intensified attacks by Russian troops in the Kharkiv region. More than half of these casualties came from Kharkiv's area.
08:50 Ukraine: Russia plans to train officers in occupied regions
The Russians are planning to provide training courses for officers in the currently occupied regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces cited a report saying that the trained officers would be offered "aspiring positions." The courses will focus on electronic warfare, like working with radar or jammers, because Russia has been using jammers so frequently recently that it's often blocked Western precision weapons from reaching their targets.
08:19 Ukrainian General Staff reports 1,270 casualties on the Russian side
The Ukrainian General Staff has logged 1,270 Russian soldiers killed or wounded in the past 24 hours. The total number of casualties since the beginning of the full-scale invasion now stands at over 518,000, according to the Ukrainians. Besides that, 26 Russian tanks were destroyed, along with 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery systems, and two air defense systems. They've also recorded 37 destroyed drones.
07:40 Ukrainians hold back Russian advances in the north
Russia has been gathering troops near the northeastern border with Ukraine for some time now. The town of Vovchansk near Kharkiv has been under heavy bombing for weeks, and observers believe additional Russian advances are imminent in the region. However, it appears the Ukrainians are managing to halt the Russian advance there.
07:27 NATO considering establishing a permanent envoy in Kyiv, aid becoming more reliable
NATO might set up a permanent envoy based in Kyiv. This representative would coordinate NATO support for Ukraine, including military assistance from Western countries. The approach is planned as a possible alternative to inviting Ukraine to join membership negotiations at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington.
06:55 Ukraine aims to directly negotiate with arms manufacturers
The Ukrainian government is adjusting its strategy for cooperating with arms manufacturers. The goal is to negotiate more directly with manufacturers for the supply of weapons and equipment. Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov recently signed such a contract with a Bulgarian company, according to the news outlet "Ukrinform." This approach streamlines the procurement process and enhances the modernization of the Ukrainian army.
06:19 Austrian Minister: Germany has stepped over a red line
Austrian Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner states in an interview with "Die Presse" that Germany, France, and the US have crossed a red line by allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons on Russian territory. She commends NATO's decision not to send troops to Ukraine. Tanner declined to comment on whether Ukraine is justified in defending itself from shelling across the border. "As a militarily neutral country, it's not up to us to judge."
05:38 German Defense Ministry: Bolster Bundeswehr Reserves
The German Ministry of Defense aims to bolster the reserve forces of the Bundeswehr by significantly increasing their numbers. This move involves training and equipping these reserves to the same level as active troops, enabling them to either supplement or replace active personnel in combat situations, according to General Lieutenant Alexander Hoppe, the Deputy General Inspector and Reservist Affairs Officer based in Berlin. The military's goal is to have around 60,000 men and women on standby in a "basic order", who are slated for specific tasks.
04:37 German Government Wary of Macron's Ukraine Training Plan
Due to security concerns, the German government is not in favor of French President Emmanuel Macron's proposed plan to train Ukrainian forces with European soldiers in the future. An internal EU document, leaked to "Welt am Sonntag," states that the security provided by EU training facilities could be undermined by the risk of attacks on training facilities in Ukraine. Security issues have been a primary concern during a recent meeting of European defense ministers on May 28.
03:20 Ukrainian Army: Russians Attempting Breakthrough at Pokrovsk Front
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 76 combat engagements within the past 24 hours, with the most intense clashes occurring at the Pokrovsk Front. Russian troops have launched 27 attacks, attempting to break through from Otscheretyne to Evhenivka and Novooleksandriwka.
01:42 Soldier's Coffin Graffiti in Paris: Moldovan Suspects Held in Pre-trial Detention
Three Moldovan suspects are in pre-trial detention following the appearance of Soldier's Coffin Graffiti in Paris. The French authorities are investigating the possibility of "foreign influence". Last Friday, graffiti featuring a coffin and the words "French soldier in Ukraine" appeared on the facades of houses in the city. This followed the placement of coffins with the inscription "French soldiers in Ukraine" at the Eiffel Tower, leading to the arrest of three suspects, one of whom is German.
00:39 UN Reports 174 Civilian Deaths in Ukraine in May
The United Nations reports that May has seen the highest death toll of civilians in Ukraine since June 2023, with at least 174 fatalities. Ukraine has accused Russia of deliberately targeting residential areas near the front lines in order to force evacuations. Moscow denies targeting civilians.
23:24 Ambulance Attacked: Drones Drop Explosives
A Ukrainian ambulance driver was injured when Russian troops dropped explosives from a drone onto the ambulance, according to Ukrainian reports. This attack took place in the Biloserka community in southern Ukraine, as per the Kherson Oblast governor.
22:23 Almost All Ukrainian Prisoners of War Suffered Torture, Says Prosecutor General
Torturing prisoners of war or civilians appears to be a common practice within the Russian military, claims Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin. He estimates that approximately 90% of the returning Ukrainian prisoners of war experienced different types of torture, inhumane treatment, physical (including sexual) and psychological violence. This information was shared by the "Euromaidan Press" news portal.
21:42 Zelenskyy labels Charkiv Offensive a Failure
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, considers the Russian offensive in the Charkiv region a failure. In his evening address, he reported his conversation with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi about the overall situation on the front. Mr. Zelenskyy says that the Russians have not carried out their operation in Charkiv, with the Ukrainian military successfully containing the Russian forces and damaging them as they enter Ukrainian territory and terrorize the Charkiv region. While the Charkiv front is becoming more intense, the situation in the Donetsk region remains the most challenging.
(Read about previous developments here.)
Read also:
- President Zelenskyy mentions Cyberwar as a potential threat in his speech, emphasizing Ukraine's need to strengthen its cyberdefenses.
- Russia is accused of launching a cyberattack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages, as reported by Ukrainian authorities.
- The Cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia escalates, leading to power disruptions and critical infrastructure damage in several Ukrainian cities.
- In response to the Russian Cyberwar, NATO agrees to provide Ukraine with cybersecurity assistance and experts to help strengthen its defenses.
