Surveillance from the skies prompts Kiev to accuse Russian soldiers of carrying out beheadings
Eastern Ukraine alleges Russian troops decapitated a Ukrainian soldier near the frontline. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office claims that Russian commanders in Wolnowacha, Donetsk region, have ordered not to capture Ukrainian soldiers. A Ukrainian soldier's head was allegedly discovered during an aerial reconnaissance in a military vehicle. Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin described this as a blatant violation of the Geneva Convention, stating the incident won't go unpunished, urging the civilized world to isolate and punish the rogue nation. Moscow remains silent on the accusation. News agency AFP could not independently verify Ukrainian claims.
16:54 Orban concedes to Rutte as NATO chief, ends resistance
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has withdrawn his opposition to Mark Rutte's appointment as the new NATO Secretary-General. Orban announced Hungary's support for Rutte's candidacy. This paves the way for Rutte to succeed Stoltenberg. The only hurdle remaining is Romania's President Klaus Iohannis' unyielding candidacy for the top NATO position. However, Iohannis has no significant supporters left. Orban cited a letter from Rutte addressing Hungarian demands as the reason for his concession, including Hungary's desire to opt out of a proposed NATO mission to manage weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
16:18 Putin acknowledges North Korea's backing against Ukraine during state visit
Before visiting North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude for North Korea's backing of Russia's offensive in Ukraine. "We greatly appreciate that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) firmly supports Russia's military special operation in Ukraine," Putin wrote in a guest article published by the state North Korean news agency KCNA and the newspaper Rodong Sinmun. Meanwhile, South Korea reported a border infiltration by North Korean soldiers.
15:43 Access to Soviet archives barred: European Court of Human Rights condemns Russia
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has reprimanded Russia for denying access to archives to human rights organization Memorial and others regarding repressions during the Soviet era. "The pursuit of historical truth is an essential component of the right to freedom of expression," the Strasbourg Court declared. The refusal represents an obstruction of the right to information and therefore violates the European Convention on Human Rights.
15:03 Slovakia backs Rutte as new NATO Chief
The Slovak Republic has declared its readiness to support Mark Rutte of the Netherlands as the new NATO Secretary-General. "Following a comprehensive discussion with Mark Rutte and consultations with the Slovak government, the Slovak Republic can envision Mark Rutte as NATO Chief," said Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. However, the official support of Hungary and Romania, whose President Klaus Iohannis announced in March that he was also running for the top position, is still pending. The incumbent NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has already extended his tenure multiple times. In October, Stoltenberg plans to step down after a decade leading the military alliance. The NATO Secretary-General is appointed through the consensus procedure and requires the support of all 32 members. Several countries have already expressed their support for the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Rutte.
14:26 Swiss authorities suspect Russian diplomat of attempting to acquire weapons, dangerous substances
Authorities in Switzerland suspect a Russian diplomat of trying to procure weapons and hazardous materials. The Federal Prosecutor's Office in Bern confirmed they sought permission from the government to investigate a political offense. The Federal Prosecutor and police have conducted searches as part of "preventive measures," authorities stated. The "Tages-Anzeiger" previously reported that a diplomat was under investigation who was accredited at the Russian embassy in Bern. The alleged agent surfaced a few weeks before the Ukraine summit, which took place in Switzerland without Russian participation over the weekend. For the investigation to proceed, the Federal Prosecutor also requested the lifting of immunity.
13:47 Report suggests Italy plans to provide Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine
According to a report in "Il Fatto Quotidiano," Italy plans to supply Ukraine, in the ninth military aid package, among other things, Storm Shadow cruise missiles. 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 parliament at the end of June, according to the report, but the quantity of items was not mentioned.
13:02 Estonian political scientist jailed for six years and three months for spying for Russia
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 had worked at the University in Tartu, Estonia, until his arrest in January and shared his insights about the political situation in Estonia and its relations with the EU with Russian intelligence services.
22:59: General Badia of NATO urges countermeasures against advanced Hypersonic weaponryNATO-General Christian Badia is advocating for defensive strategies against modern Hypersonic weaponry, emphasizing the need for both defensive capabilities and offensive counterattack options for effective deterrence. Badia made these comments during a conference in Berlin. Reports suggest that Russia has already utilized these weapons against Ukraine. The estimated response time could potentially drop to merely a couple of minutes. Markus Ziegler from the German Aerospace Industries Association stated: "Time from Moscow to Berlin: If you're rapid, it's roughly five minutes from there to here. Even Beijing to Berlin where they say Beijing is significantly distant, it's approximately 20 minutes."
22:26: Arson attack on Russian fuel depot may involve intelligenceSources from the Ukrainian Security Service told The Kyiv Independent that the nighttime arson 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 engulfed approximately 3200 square meters. Nearly 200 firefighters were deployed to extinguish the blaze.
22:00: Village near Avdiivka taken over by Russian troopsBritish intelligence assessments suggest that Russian troops have seized control of the village of Novooleksandrivka, around 20 kilometers north of Avdiivka. This places the Russian army closer to the T0504 highway, one of Ukraine's primary supply lines.
21:28: Comprehensive cooperation agreement between Putin and Kim Jong Un imminentRussia and North Korea are planning to sign an extensive cooperation agreement during Putin's visit to Pyongyang. The Kremlin announced that Putin has approved the draft of the agreement from the Foreign Ministry. The document is expected to be signed at the highest level, by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. No details about the agreement's content were disclosed.
21:00: China rebukes Stoltenberg's criticismThe Chinese government has rejected NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's criticism of China's stance on the Ukraine conflict. "We advise (NATO) to refrain from blaming others, not adding fuel to the fire, and not exacerbating the situation," 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 is accused of adopting a neutral posture, according to Stoltenberg, to "eschew sanctions and maintain trade."
20:26: Twelve-year prison sentence for anti-war demonstration in RussiaA 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 based on information from the Russian opposition media outlet Mediazona. The woman, who is 35 years old, also released white-blue-white balloons, a symbol of protest against Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
20:00 Russian Navy rehearses submarine battlesThe Russian Navy initiated 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 participating in the exercises, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow. The exercises are reportedly taking place until June 28 in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk. The training includes combating submarines and defending against air attacks.
19:38 Putin's portrait adorns Pyongyang's streetsPutin's visit to North Korea is evident in Pyongyang's streets, where not only are Russian flags being displayed, but also portraits of Putin. This is visible in videos, for example on the Russian state news agency TASS, on social media platforms.
19:12 Munz: Weapons take center stage during Putin's North Korea visitRussian President Putin is in North Korea today and tomorrow. According to NTV Russia correspondent Rainer Munz, weapons are likely the main focus of Putin's visit. Diplomatic support is also important:
19:00 Rwanda withdraws commitment to Peace Summit declarationRwanda has withdrawn its signature from the closing declaration of the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, according to Ukrainian media. Rwanda's name no longer appears on the list of signatories on the Swiss government's website as of Monday. At present, 77 states and 5 organizations support the declaration.
18:44 Ukrainian military analyst attests to Russia's artillery production issuesAccording to Ukrainian military analyst Petro Chernyk, Russia is facing shortages of explosives for artillery shells, as reported by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Russia is also reportedly transitioning from self-propelled to towed artillery systems, but is allegedly experiencing problems with these as well. However, Russia cannot produce more self-propelled systems due to having only five to six corresponding machines.
06:14 Ukraine claims all ten Russian drones destroyedThe 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.
05:48 Russia confirms destruction of rare Russian reconnaissance aircraftRussian 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 Service had claimed the shootdown at the time, as well as the Ukrainian Air Force. The aircraft was reportedly crucial for detecting air defense systems and guided missiles, as well as coordinating targets for Russian combat jets. Russia reportedly has fewer than ten of these aircraft, with an estimated cost of around 350 million dollars each.
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06:02 Prisons Ablaze in Asow, Russia
As per the governor of the Russian city Asow in the Rostov region close to the Ukrainian border, prisons have caught fire following a suspected Ukrainian drone attack. "No casualties have been reported," the southern region's governor, Vasili Golubev, announced via Telegram. The investigations are still underway, and the local fire department is working hard to get the fires under control.
05:40 Moscow and Washington Engaging in Talks Over Gershkovich Exchange
Russia confirms, according to the Presidential Press Secretary Dmitri Peskov, discussions with the USA regarding a possible prisoner exchange for the detained US reporter Evan Gershkovich. He referred to President Vladimir Putin's earlier statements, who expressed a desire for such contacts in early June. "The talks are ongoing, but they should continue in complete secrecy," Peskov emphasized. "Therefore, no announcements, declarations, or information on this matter can be given." The 32-year-old reporter for the "Wall Street Journal" was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Yekaterinburg, Ural, on March 29, 2023. He is accused of espionage.
04:50 U.S. Soldier Concedes to Partial Guilt
The U.S. soldier Gordon Black, detained in Russia for theft among other charges, has admitted to bearing some responsibility for the theft. According to the Russian news agency Interfax, he made this statement in court in Vladivostok. He confessed to being "partially to blame" for the theft but maintained that he didn't act intentionally. He denies making threats to kill his girlfriend. Several other U.S. citizens are already detained in Russia, including the journalist Evan Gershkovich and the former soldier Paul Whelan, both accused of espionage.
03:50 German Federal Network Agency Fines Nord Stream 2 Operator
The German Federal Network Agency has imposed a fine of €75,000 on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline operator Gascade. According to the agency in Bonn, Gascade released inaccurate values in 2021 due to IT issues, which indicated that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was about to be commissioned. The market reacted to the false report and believed that the pipeline's commissioning was imminent, resulting in significantly lower prices.
02:58 Putin Thanks North Korea for Military Assistance in Ukraine
Before his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed appreciation for Pyongyang's military support for Russia's offensive in Ukraine. "We greatly appreciate that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) has firmly supported the military special operation in Ukraine," Putin wrote in an article published by the state North Korean news agency KCNA on Tuesday. Furthermore, it was stated that both countries are working to "actively develop the multifaceted partnership."
01:57 Intense Ukrainian Attacks Reported in Kharkiv
According to Russian reports, fierce fighting has broke out in parts of the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. "The enemy is sending reinforcements and attempting to launch a counter-attack, but is facing heavy resistance from our troops," says the Russian-installed governor of the Moscow-controlled territories in the Kharkiv region, Vitali Ganchev. Russian troops have reportedly repelled the latest Ukrainian counter-attacks near Vovchansk, five kilometers behind the border. Russian troops had entered parts of the Kharkiv region a month ago and had taken control of around a dozen villages according to official reports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy states that the Ukrainian forces will gradually drive the Russian troops out of the disputed area.
00:55 DIW President: Slashing Social Benefits for Ukrainians Unreasonable
Marcel Fratzscher, an economist, criticizes demands for reducing social benefits for Ukrainian refugees as "bare-faced populism." "No one will be better off, and no one will even have an extra Euro if Germany mistreats refugees 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 invest more effort in a faster and better integration of refugees into the labor market and society," Fratzscher demands.
23:55 Majority of Ukrainians See Zelenskyy as Legitimate President
A large percentage 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 against it. The Ukrainians contradict the view of Moscow that Zelenskyy's term of office has long expired and that he is no longer a legitimate president of Ukraine.
22:55 European Parliament Anxious About Finland's Deportation Plans
The European Parliament expresses concern over the Finnish government's plans to return migrants from Russia, who, according to Helsinki's statements, were 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 Finnish Parliament President Jussi Halla-aho. The current Finnish center-right government intends to significantly tighten immigration law. Among other things, they submitted a bill at the end of May, which would allow their border guards to return refugees.
23:15 Peskov: The Peace Conference's "Zero-Draft" Proposals Achieving Nothing
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian President's Press Secretary,criticizes the outcomes of the "zero-draft" Peace Conference as aiming for nothing. The conference, aimed at finding a resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, took place last week. However, it appears that the proposed peace agreements made would not lead to meaningful results. The Russian government remains committed to finding a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Russian officials, led by Dmitri Peskov, spokesperson for President Putin, still express skepticism over the outcomes of the Swiss Peace Conference in Moscow regarding Ukraine. In Peskov's words, "The meeting, sans Russian participation, is deemed fruitless." He further elaborated, "When discussing the meeting's results, they predictably aim for nothing." The news agency, Tass, reported that even when countries like Serbia, Turkey, or Hungary, seen as friendly to Russia, backed the final declaration, it was of little concern to Moscow. Peskov commented, "We'll certainly consider the stance of these countries. Their viewpoints matter to us. We'll carry on explaining our viewpoints to them." The Foreign Ministry in Moscow labeled the conference a "total disappointment," as stated by Maria Zakharova, the Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, as reported by Tass news agency.
You can catch up on earlier events here.
Read also:
- In response to the accusations, the Russian government remained silent on the alleged beheadings of a Ukrainian soldier by Russian troops near the frontline in Eastern Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office accused Russian commanders in Wolnowacha, Donetsk region, of ordering not to capture Ukrainian soldiers, as a Ukrainian soldier's head was discovered during an aerial reconnaissance in a military vehicle.
- Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude for North Korea's backing of Russia's offensive in Ukraine before his visit to Pyongyang.
- As tensions rise between Ukraine and Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged the civilized world to isolate and punish the "rogue nation" for violating the Geneva Convention in Eastern Ukraine.
