15:03 Slovakia ready to support Rutte as new NATO chief
The Slovakia government declares readiness to support Mark Rutte as new NATO Secretary-General. "After a final discussion with Mark Rutte and consultations with the Slovakian government, Slovakia can present Mark Rutte as the NATO Chief," said the Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini. However, the official support from Hungary and Romania is still missing. Romania's President Klaus Iohannis declared his candidacy for the top position in March. The incumbent NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has already extended his tenure several times. He intends to step down in October after a decade at the helm of the military alliance. The NATO Secretary-General is appointed through the consensus procedure and therefore requires the support of all 32 members. Several countries have already expressed their support for the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Rutte.
14:26: Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office investigates alleged Russian agentsSwiss authorities suspect a Russian diplomat of attempting to procure weapons and dangerous substances, according to a media report. The Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office in Bern confirmed that they have requested permission from the government to pursue a political offense. The Federal Prosecutor's Office and the police have already conducted house searches as part of "preventive measures," the department announced. Previously, the "Tages-Anzeiger" reported that a diplomat was under investigation, who was accredited to the Russian embassy in Bern. The alleged agent was identified a few weeks before the Ukraine summit, which took place in Switzerland without Russian participation over the past weekend. The man reportedly built contacts in Switzerland for his procurement efforts. To investigate the case, the Federal Prosecutor's Office also requested the lifting of immunity.
13:47: Italy intends to supply Ukraine with Storm ShadowsAccording to a report in "Il Fatto Quotidiano," Italy plans to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles as part of another military aid package. The state Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported this, citing the Italian daily. The Italian Defense Ministry is expected to present the ninth military aid package to the parliament at the end of June, according to the report, which does not mention the number of missiles.
13:02: Professor in Estonia sentenced to six years and three months in prison for spying for RussiaThe Russian political scientist Viacheslav Morozov has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison in Estonia for spying for Russia. This was reported by the Russian-language opposition medium Meduza, citing the Estonian public broadcaster. Morozov worked at the University in Tartu, Estonia, until his arrest in January, and shared his knowledge about the political situation in Estonia and its relations with the EU with Russian intelligence services.
12:19: NATO-General calls for response to modern Hypersonic weapons
NATO-General Christian Badia is advocating for increased efforts in defense against modern Hypersonic weapons. For effective deterrence, both defense and the ability to attack must be established, Badia stated at a conference in Berlin. Russia is already deploying these weapons systems against Ukraine. The warning time could shrink to just about two minutes, it was reported at the meeting. Markus Ziegler from the German Aerospace Industries Association said: "Distance Moscow-Berlin: If you're fast, it's five minutes from there to here. Even Beijing-Berlin, where they say Beijing is infinitely far away, it's 20 minutes."
11:57: Fire at Russian fuel depot likely caused by intelligence service
A source in the Ukrainian Security Service told The Kyiv Independent that the nighttime attack on a fuel depot in the Russian city of Asow is believed to be the work of the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service. According to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, the fire covered approximately 3200 square meters. Over 200 firefighters were deployed to extinguish the blaze.
11:30: London: Russia takes control of village near Avdiivka
British intelligence assesses that Russian troops have likely taken control of the village of Novooleksandrivka, about 20 kilometers north of Avdiivka. This brings the Russian army closer to the T0504 highway, one of Ukraine's main supply lines.
10:48: Putin and Kim Jong Un plan comprehensive cooperation
Russia and North Korea aim to sign a treaty on comprehensive cooperation during Putin's visit to Pyongyang. Putin has approved the draft treaty from the Foreign Ministry, the Kremlin announced. The document is to be signed at the highest level, that is, by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. No details about the treaty's content were provided.
10:20: China responds sharply to Stoltenberg
The Chinese government has rejected NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's criticism of China's stance on the Ukraine conflict. "We advise (NATO) to stop assigning blame to others, not to sow discord, and not to pour oil on the fire," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian. Instead, NATO should take concrete steps "for the political resolution of the crisis." Stoltenberg had criticized China's actions regarding the Russian aggression in Ukraine during a visit to Washington. China claims to be neutral, Stoltenberg speculated. "But the reality is that China is heating up the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II and at the same time maintaining good relations with the West."
09:36: Twelve years in prison for anti-war symbols in Russia
A Moscow Military Court has sentenced a Ukrainian woman to twelve years in prison for playing an anti-war declaration and the Ukrainian national anthem from her apartment window in Moscow. Ukrainska Pravda reports this, citing the Russian opposition media outlet Mediazona. The 35-year-old woman also released white-blue-white balloons, a protest symbol against Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
09:00 Russian Navy trains against submarines
The Russian Navy started exercises in the Pacific Ocean directly before Putin's state visit to North Korea. Approximately 40 ships and boats, as well as about 20 planes and helicopters, are involved in the maneuvers, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow. The exercises are reportedly taking place in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk until June 28. The training includes the fight against submarines and the defense against air attacks.
08:28 Putin's portrait lines Pyongyang's streets
Putin's visit to North Korea is noticeable in Pyongyang's streets: Not only are they lined with numerous Russian flags, but also with Putin's portrait. This can be seen in videos, for example on the Russian state news agency TASS, on social media platforms.
08:01 Munz: At Putin's North Korea visit, it's mostly about weapons
Russian President Putin is visiting North Korea today and tomorrow. According to NTV-Russia correspondent Rainer Munz, Putin likely has weapons in his luggage. Diplomatic support is also important, Munz adds.
07:48 Rwanda withdraws signature from peace summit declaration
Rwanda has withdrawn its signature from the final declaration of the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, according to Ukrainian media. Ruanda's name no longer appears on the list of signatories on the Swiss government's website as of Monday. Currently, 77 states and 5 organizations support the declaration.
07:22 Ukrainian military analyst assesses problems with Russian artillery production
Ukrainian military analyst Petro Chernyk estimates that Russia is experiencing shortages of explosives for artillery shells, according to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Moreover, Russia is reportedly transitioning from self-propelled to towed artillery systems, but is allegedly facing problems with these as well. However, Russia cannot produce more self-propelled systems, as it only has five to six such machines.
06:54 Ukraine reports destruction of all ten Russian drones launched at night
The Ukrainian Air Force claims to have destroyed all ten Russian drones launched at night over the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk. The Air Force announced this on Telegram.
06:28 Russia confirms destruction of rare Russian reconnaissance aircraft
Russian authorities have confirmed that the Ukrainian Air Force shot down a rare Russian Early Warning and Control Aircraft of the type A-50 over the Azov Sea in February, resulting in the deaths of ten crew members. The Kyiv Independent reported this. The Ukrainian military intelligence and the Ukrainian Air Force had claimed responsibility for the shootdown at the time. The aircraft was reportedly crucial for detecting air defense systems and missiles, as well as coordinating targets for Russian fighter jets. Russia reportedly has fewer than ten of these aircraft, with an estimated price of around 350 million dollars each.
06:02 Prisons in Russian Asow on fire
According to the governor of the Russian city Asow in the Rostov region near the Ukrainian border, prisons have been on fire following a Ukrainian drone attack. "There are no casualties reported," the governor of the southern region, Vasili Golubev, announced via Telegram. Investigations are ongoing, and local firefighters are working to bring the fires under control.
05:40 Kremlin: Holding talks with USA over Gershkovich exchange
Russia confirms, according to the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, contacts with the USA regarding a potential prisoner exchange for the detained US reporter Evan Gershkovich. He referred to statements by President Vladimir Putin, who expressed his intention to engage in such talks at the beginning of June. "They are continuing, but they should continue in complete silence," Peskov emphasized. "Therefore, no announcements, declarations, or information can be given about this matter." The 32-year-old reporter for the "Wall Street Journal" was arrested in Yekaterinburg in the Urals by the Russian domestic security service FSB on March 29, 2023. He is accused of espionage.
04:50 Detained US soldier pleads partial guilty
The US soldier Gordon Black, who is being detained in Russia for allegedly committing theft, has partially confessed to his crime. According to the Russian news agency Interfax, he made the statement in court in Vladivostok. He admitted to being "partially responsible" for the theft but did not admit to having committed it intentionally. He also denied threatening to harm his girlfriend. Several other US citizens are already in custody in Russia, including the journalist Evan Gershkovich and the former soldier Paul Whelan, both of whom are accused of espionage.
03:50 Bundesnetzagentur fines pipeline operator for incorrect Nord Stream 2 values
The German Federal Network Agency has imposed a fine of €75,000 on the pipeline operator Gascade in connection with the controversial German-Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2. According to the agency in Bonn, Gascade published incorrect values in 2021 due to IT problems, which suggested that the inservice date of Nord Stream 2 was imminent. The market reacted to the false information and assumed that the pipeline's commissioning was imminent, leading to significantly lower prices.
02:58 Putin thanks North Korea for military support in Ukraine
In advance of his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for its military support for Russia's offensive in Ukraine. "We highly value the fact that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) has resolved to support militarily the Russian military operation in Ukraine," Putin wrote in an article published by the state North Korean news agency KCNA on Tuesday. Furthermore, it was stated there that both countries are working to "actively develop the multifaceted partnership."
01:57 Russia reports heavy Ukrainian attacks in KharkivParts of the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv have seen intense fighting, according to Russian reports. "The enemy is sending reserves and trying to launch a counter-attack, but is facing heavy resistance from our troops," says the pro-Russian governor of the occupied territories in the region of Kharkiv, Vitali Ganchev. Russian troops have reportedly repelled the latest Ukrainian counter-attacks near Vovchansk, just five kilometers behind the border. Russian forces had entered parts of the region Kharkiv a month ago and had taken control of around a dozen villages according to official statements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the Ukrainian forces will gradually drive out the Russian troops from the contested area.
00:55 DIW President: Cutting social benefits for Ukrainians is populistMarcel Fratzscher, an economist, criticizes demands for reducing social benefits for Ukrainian refugees as "empty populism." "Nobody will be better off, and no one will even have an extra Euro if Germany treats refugees badly and cuts their benefits," says the President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "The German state should not spend less money on refugees but make more efforts for a faster and better integration of refugees into the labor market and society," Fratzscher demands.
23:55 Most Ukrainians see Zelenskyy as legitimate presidentA large majority of Ukrainians view President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite the extended term of office during wartime, as a legitimate president. According to a survey by the International Sociological Institute in Kiev, 70% of the 2011 interviewed Ukrainians believe that Zelenskyy should remain in office until the end of the war. Only 22% are opposed. The Ukrainians contradict the Russian view that Zelenskyy's term of office has long expired and that he is no longer a legitimate president of Ukraine.
22:55 European Parliament concerned about Finland's deportation plansThe European Parliament expresses concern over Finland's plans to return migrants from Russia, who, according to Helsinki's statements, have been deliberately sent across the common border by Moscow. The draft law must be rejected, demands the Human Rights Commissioner of the European Parliament, Michael O'Flaherty, in a letter to Finland's Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-aho. The current Finnish center-right government plans to significantly tighten migration law. Among other things, they presented a bill at the end of May that would allow their border guards to turn back refugees.
23:15 Peskov: Results of the "zero-draft" Peace Conference "striving towards zero"
The Kreml continues to speak negatively about the results of the Swiss Peace Conference for Ukraine in Moscow. According to Dmitri Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, the summit without Russian participation could not bring results. "When speaking about the results of this meeting, they naturally aim for zero," Peskov said. The fact that a number of Russia-friendly countries such as Serbia, Turkey, or Hungary supported the final declaration does not bother Moscow. "We will certainly take into account the stance of these countries. It is important for us. We will continue to explain our position to them," Peskov added. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow labeled the conference as a "complete failure," as reported by the Tass news agency from a statement by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
You can read about previous developments here.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, is finding encouragement as NATO-General Christian Badia advocates for increased efforts in defense against modern Hypersonic weapons, a threat Russia is deploying against Ukraine.
- In an alleged calculated move, Ukraine is suspected of launching a cyberwar attack against a Russian fuel depot in the city of Asow, causing a fire that covered approximately 3200 square meters.
- Russia's political ambitions extend beyond European borders as the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, plans to sign a treaty on comprehensive cooperation with North Korea during his visit to Pyongyang.
- As the Ukraine conflict persists, tensions heighten between NATO and Russia, with Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary-General, criticizing China for supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine, while China rejects these allegations.
- In another display of the global impact of the Ukraine conflict, Italy plans to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles as part of another military aid package, further escalating the ongoing militarized standoff.
