19:54: Sweden joins NATO's air monitoring operations.

Sweden takes part in NATO's air monitoring team.

Sweden is planning to partake in airspace monitoring under NATO's supervision, three months after becoming a member of the military alliance. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson made the announcement after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at a military base near Stockholm. Swedish fighter jets will be employed in NATO's "Air Policing," primarily over the Baltic Sea. Kristersson added, "We're determined from day one to be an active NATO member, and now the journey can really begin."

19:25 French expert under arrest in Moscow faces pre-trial detentionA French political expert in Russia, Laurent Vinatier, was arrested in Moscow. A Moscow court has ordered his provisional detention until at least early August. Vinatier works for the Swiss non-governmental organization Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD). Russian authorities have accused him of collecting military information and failure to register as a 'foreign agent.' The law on 'foreign agents' allows the Russian authorities to target critics and monitor them. Vinatier could face up to five years in prison if convicted.

18:55 Ukraine imposes power cuts across the country due to Russian attacks to energy infrastructureThere are significant issues with power supply in Ukraine, as Russia has been targeting the energy infrastructure for months. State power supplier Ukrenergo has disclosed that "power consumption restrictions apply all day long" in all regions of the country. This is to ensure that essential infrastructure facilities and companies can carry on operating. Kiev city administration reports that available power will only cover 75% of the capital's power consumption. Overnight, power was cut off for three hours in several regions, Ukrenergo stated.

18:23 Moscow criticizes Macron's support for Ukraine with jet fightersKremlin spokesperson Peskov considers statements supporting Ukraine with jet fighters from France as "very, very provocative." He adds, "President Macron is demonstrating absolute support for the Kiev regime and declaring France's readiness for direct involvement in the armed conflict." French President Macron revealed that he would provide several Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine in a live television interview the evening before. Though he did not clarify if France would send military trainers, he emphasized that the idea of training in Ukraine does not equate to escalation.

17:50 Putin hints at providing weapons to Western adversaries if Ukraine uses foreign arms against RussiaKremlin head Putin hints at supplying weapons to enemies of the West if Ukraine employs Western weapons against Russia. He does not specify any particular countries or actors. "If they send weapons to the conflict zone and call for these weapons to be used against our territory, why shouldn't we have the right to do the same?" Putin questioned at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. Currently, Moscow is not known to be supplying weapons to countries hostile to the West.

17:30 Berlin uncertain about using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine at G7 summitThe German government expects progress on utilizing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine at the forthcoming G7 summit, but there is no final decision. A German government representative reveals that they will likely discuss how a single-digit billion euro amount from the interest on frozen assets could be transformed into a double-digit sum for Ukraine. G7 finance ministers have also reached the same conclusion. Nevertheless, EU nations within the G7, including Germany, France, and Italy, must concur within the EU. "I suspect there will be no final result."

17:00 Ukrainian president appreciates France's assistance with ''excellent'' fighter jetsUkrainian President Zelensky expresses gratitude to France for the promised delivery of Mirage jets to defend against the Russian aggression. During a speech in the French parliament, Zelensky said, "Your fighter jets, your excellent fighter jets, will be flown by Ukrainian pilots to demonstrate that Europe is stronger, that Europe is stronger than the Evil that dares to threaten it." French President Macron had announced on Thursday evening that he would hand over Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine the night before. These jets are also compatible with French-British cruise missiles, namely Scalp/Storm Shadow.

16:40 Ukrainian governor refutes Moscow's claims: Luhansk attack targeted military objectivesSpeculations of a larger attack by the Ukrainian army on the occupied city of Luhansk have emerged. According to the Ukrainian governor of the Luhansk region, Artem Lyssohor, the shelling targeted barracks and depots on the grounds of the former military flight school in the east of the city and a fuel depot. As of now, it's not confirmed if Russian reports of at least three civilian deaths and more than 30 injuries are accurate. Lyssohor absolves any civilian casualties to the use of Russian air defense over the city. Russian Military claims to have intercepted four of the five rockets. This cannot be independently corroborated. The Russian Defense Ministry alleges that the Ukrainian army purposely targeted civilian areas in Luhansk.

President Putin intends to lessen Russia's reliance on the West. Russia is expected to lower its imports, raise the usage of non-Western currencies in trading, and significantly widen its domestic financial markets, as specified by Putin at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Currently, trade with Asia is growing rapidly and almost 40% of Russia's foreign trade is done in rubles. On the other hand, trade utilizing dollars, euros, and other Western currencies is diminishing. Russia aims to enhance the percentage of transactions conducted in the currencies of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Major countries in the BRICS organization include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Putin commented, "Last year, the share of payments for Russian exports in supposedly 'toxic' currencies from unfavorable nations decreased by half." This typically refers to primarily Western nations that sanctioned Russia due to its conduct in Ukraine. You can find more details here.

15:45: Russian military captures additional Ukrainian village

The Russian military has seized another village in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, as per their own declarations. According to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, "Units of the southern military group have further fortified their positions along the front line and liberated the settlement of Paraskoviivka." The village lies roughly 25 kilometers southwest of Donetsk, a city Moscow had already taken in 2022. After a period of inactivity, the Russian forces have recently taken control of many settlements.

15:34: Stoltenberg claims Ukraine is qualified to strike military objectives in Russia

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says Ukraine possesses the legal right to strike military installations in Russia in self-defense. "Ukraine has the right to self-protection," he mentioned. This encompasses targeting legitimate military objectives on Russian territory.

15:13: Biden proclaims $225 million US military aid packet for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden reveals a new military aid package for Ukraine valued at $225 million (€207 million). Biden reportedly informed his counterpart in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, of this personally during a meeting in Paris. Both leaders are currently on extended journeys to France. The US Department of Defense disclosed that the latest package comprises rockets for Hawk air defense systems, ammunition for multiple rocket launchers of the type HIMARS, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters. Presently, the United States primarily aims to enhance Ukraine's air defense and supply it with ammunition after a protracted delivery halt.

14:58: Moscow accuses Ukraine of intentionally targeting residential sector, casualties reported

Moscow accuses Ukraine of directing an aerial strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk from a Russian-occupied segment of the city. The Russian Emergencies Ministry asserts that four individuals perished, a residential structure partially collapsed, and more than 40 people were harmed, including four children. The Russian-appointed head of the region, Leonid Pasetschnik, argues that "Ukrainian nationalists" were responsible for a "rigorous rocket attack on the civilian infrastructure of Luhansk" earlier that day. Ukraine had reportedly fired "at least six rockets" at the city, he added. The Russian Defense Ministry subsequently claimed Ukraine had fired "five ATACMS rockets from US production directly at residential areas of the city." Four rockets were intercepted by Russian aerial defense systems, and the fifth impacted two residential structures, it stated. Read more here.

14:24: Report: German military needs tens of thousands of soldiers for NATO plans

Germany supposedly requires tens of thousands of further soldiers. According to Spiegel magazine, citing secret documents from the Defense Ministry, NATO's plans necessitate around 75,000 additional soldiers. At the NATO summit in Vilnius last year, the alliance agreed on these plans and demonstrated how it would respond in case of a Russian assault. Based on these plans, specific requirements for troops, weapons, and other equipment were then calculated by the alliance and its member states. The German Defense Ministry has not yet reacted to a request for comment. The Bundeswehr currently has 180,000 soldiers and soldiers and 80,000 civilian employees. Read more here.

13:50: Ukraine fulfills all prerequisites for EU accession debates

Ukraine and Moldova are said to have achieved all the prerequisites for Ukraine accessions talks, according to an analysis from the EU Commission. The assessment was conveyed to EU government officials in Brussels, diplomats said. Both countries had supposedly cleared up any lingering issues in March. For Ukraine, this involved measures to better protect national minorities and to reduce the political influence of oligarchs. The German government already stated at the conclusion of May that it believes all prerequisites for the start of EU accession discussions with Ukraine have been met. Read more here.

13:20: Biden apologizes to Zelensky for lengthy delay in US weapons deliveries

The US president, Joe Biden, expresses regret to his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, for the months-long delay in delivering weapons from the US. He also seeks forgiveness for the weeks of uncertainty concerning future assistance. Both are on multi-day visits to France. Concerning the ongoing hindrance of US financial support to Kiev, Biden acknowledges that some Republicans have delayed the bill in parliament. However, the issue has now been resolved. Biden asserts that America won't abandon Kiev. Ukraine is recognized as a barrier against Russian aggression, and the United States holds a duty to support Kiev.

For the first time, Russia accuses the US of responsibility for the deaths of women and children in Russia. The ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, claims Ukraine has used US-supplied weapons for the attacks in the Belgorod border area in recent days. Statements by the US government endorsing such attacks are equivalent to a confession, she adds. Fragments of HIMARS rockets will be proof, she asserts. The accusation follows warnings from President Vladimir Putin that the West is threatening a global conflict by allowing Ukraine to attack from its territory.

Security expert Christian Mölling sees immediate impact after the decision that Ukraine can also fire at Russian military targets with Western weapons. The research director of the German Council on Foreign Relations notes in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation" that allowing Ukrainian troops to strike Russian troops on Russian soil is currently stabilizing the situation. The effect of weapons is instantaneous, he observes, and it's absurd to constrain Ukrainian troops, resulting in the casualties and damaged infrastructure. Rather, the principle should be that military targets are fair game.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautions of the expanding Russian war, comparing its current actions to acts of Hitler. Addressing the French National Assembly, Zelensky warns of a spreading conflict, noting Moscow's intent to destabilize Europe. He labels President Vladimir Putin a fascist, using "the arsenal of the past century," including blockades, the abduction of children, and blackmail tactics.

A US soldier is on trial in Russia. The 34-year-old Gordon Black allegedly stole from his girlfriend in Vladivostok and has now agreed to testify. He could face up to five years in prison. This intensifies the already strained relationship between the two countries. The Russian government detains several Americans: Paul Whelan, accused of spying, and Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter. The US regards both as unlawfully imprisoned.

10:29 Moscow accuses Ukraine of shooting US rockets on Russian territory

Russia blames Ukraine for firing US rockets on civilians on Russian soil. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, argues that Ukraine perpetrated the civilian deaths in the Belgorod region. Remnants of the HIMARS rockets will provide evidence.

Highlight: Ukraine charges Russian general: The recent Kachowka disaster leads to the charging of a Russian general.

10:23 Russian trial of US soldier

Novosti reports that the trial of an American soldier, Gordon Black, who visited his girlfriend in Vladivostok, has begun. He is charged with theft and faces up to five years in prison. Relations between the US and Russia are already tense, with Russia detaining other Americans.

10:10 Calls to unite for democracy: Zelensky appeals to the nations of Central Europe against Russian aggression. "Hitler crossed border after border," Zelensky says, "Putin is doing it now."

"Bulwark" against Russian aggression: Biden reasserts that Ukraine serves as a safeguard in the war. He assured Zelensky that the US will continue its support in the Paris meeting. Currently in France, both leaders are on separate visits. Financial aid to Kiev faced internal obstacles, Biden admitted. However, with the issue now resolved, America will continue assisting Kiev.

09:55 Russian accusations: Moscow blames Ukraine for recent attacks on Russian territory.

09:42 US soldier trial in Russia

A US soldier, Gordon Black, goes on trial in Vladivostok. He's accused of theft and could face up to five years in prison. His case heightens tensions between the US and Russia. Russia now detains several Americans, including Paul Whelan, alleged spy, and Evan Gershkovich, Wall Street Journal reporter.

09:28 Prisons in Ukraine

The Ukrainian army frees 12 Russian POWs amid criticisms over prisoner treatment.

The Ukrainian government is pursuing a legal action against the former Russian General Oleg Makarevich, who was formerly in charge of the Dnipro unit. The General is being charged with premeditated murder and breaching the laws of war. Authorities claim that he was responsible for ordering the destruction of the Kachowka dam on June 6, 2023, which resulted in a major humanitarian and environmental catastrophe in the Kherson region. Upon arrest and conviction, the General faces a life sentence. The Security Services of Ukraine released a statement saying, "The SBU is striving to identify and prosecute anyone involved in crimes against Ukraine."

09:25 "Russians make 28 attempts to breach defenses"

In several parts of Ukraine, air raid sirens have been activated. Russian air forces are targeting Odessa and Kiev, while the situation in Donetsk appears particularly tense, as reported by NTV correspondent Kavita Sharma. Meanwhile, the training of pilots for the promised combat aircraft is experiencing delays.

08:59 Ukraine reports intercepting dozens of drones

Ukrainian officials claim to have thwarted all five rockets launched by Russia the previous night. Out of the 53 launched drones, 48 were shot down, while two rockets failed to launch. The drones were targeted in the regions of Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, South Odessa, and Kherson. Fortunately, no energy infrastructure was affected, but there is damage in certain areas. Although no one was injured, the situation remains tense.

08:26 Historian Winkler raises concern

Historian Heinrich August Winkler believes that the strict adherence to the budget constraint poses a security risk for Germany. If there is a worsening situation in Ukraine, "we would be in a disastrous position if we had to say 'we upheld the budget constraint and lost Ukraine,'" he said in the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung." Winkler believes that "step-by-step increases in our conventional defense measures" are necessary for European peace and the freedoms of European democracies. He thinks that "the budget constraint should not be an impediment to these efforts."

07:54 Swiss President keen on further negotiations

Swiss President Viola Amherd anticipates that the planned peace conference on Ukraine, organized by Switzerland in mid-June, will not result in an immediate peace agreement. "It is evident to us that we will not sign a peace agreement at the end of the conference," she told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." Amherd also noted that for peace to prevail, both parties must be present at the talks, indicating that Russia might participate in a future conference. More than 80 countries have agreed to take part in the summit, including Germany, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Russia has not been invited to the conference, but its government has also declined to send representatives even if invited.

07:31 Many German firms plan more business in Ukraine

Despite the conflict in Ukraine, many German companies with operations there are considering new investments in the country. In a survey by the German-Ukrainian Industry and Trade Chamber (AHK Ukraine), 43% of respondents expressed a desire to continue engaging in Ukraine's economy, while only 8% were considering divestment. KPMG interviewed a total of 142 companies, with respondents citing political and economic stability alongside financial support and guarantees as the key conditions for expanding their businesses. Close to 42% of the companies expect the economy to improve in the coming year, while around 48% anticipate that the situation will remain constant, and 10% are worried about a possible deterioration.

07:02 Propagandists under scrutiny - NGOs appeal to the International Criminal Court

The International Federation for Human Rights, the Center for Civil Liberties, and the Kharkiv Human Rights Group have presented a report to the International Criminal Court, accusing prominent Russian propagandists of inciting hate crimes against Ukrainians. The human rights organizations are levying charges against five individuals: Vladimir Solovyov, Margarita Simonyan, Dmitry Kiselyov, Sergey Mardan, Dmitry Medvedev, and Alexei Gromov, who is the first deputy chief of staff of the Russian presidential administration. All these individuals have "indisputably called for violence," according to the Center for Civil Liberties. Prior to this, the International Criminal Court had issued warrants for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to transform his nation into a war economy following over two years of his struggle against Ukraine. At the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), first deputy prime minister Denis Manturov revealed that Putin had drafted a list of directions for enhancing the defense industry to manufacture more weapons and ammunition. Participants at a conference focused on defense matters emphasized that Russia is capable of producing weapons and ammunition more quickly and at a quarter of the price of Western countries. They further emphasized that the nation is preparing for a centennial military-based economy. The number of firms, including those in the private sector, has skyrocketed in the last two years of war. "Presently, the defense industry is the driving force of the economy," stated leading economist Pyotr Fradkov, chairman of Promsvyazbank, in light of significant business transactions.

05:59 NATO Allies Displeased with Germany

The German administration is causing annoyance within NATO since it refuses to label a new support effort for Ukraine a "mission." Diplomatic sources disclosed that Berlin's opposition to using the phrase "NATO Mission Ukraine" (NMU) is perceived as unneeded concessions to Russia and unfathomable by most other partners. The German government argues that the name "NATO Mission Ukraine" might be misconstrued as if the alliance were stationing troops in Ukraine. Berlin's stance is seen as illogical, especially since it backs the initiative in theory, as per its own assertions.

05:10 Russia Analyst on Ukraine Conference: "Really Baffling" That Biden Doesn't Attend

The Russia expert Gerhard Mangott assesses the anticipated Ukraine conference in Switzerland as devalued due to the absence of key nations. The anticipated absence of nations like China, Brazil, or South Africa is a blight, says the political scientist from the University of Innsbruck. It's significant that a potential follow-up conference is already being discussed as the primary goal before the start of the intended conference. "Customarily, announcements of a follow-up conference are made before the start of the current conference, indicating that one doesn't anticipate much from it," he added. The absence of President Joe Biden is even more disheartening for Ukraine. "It's genuinely baffling why President Joe Biden has opted against participating," Mangott stated.

03:02 Russia Launches Drone and Cruise Missile Attacks

For numerous parts of Ukraine, an air raid alert rings out at night, apart from areas in the western part of the country. The air force disclosed drones have been directed toward Odessa from the Black Sea. Furthermore, cruise missiles have been downed.

01:55 USA Plans Fresh Military Assistance Package for Ukraine

The USA will furnish Ukraine with additional military assistance worth about $225 million. The forthcoming project includes, per Washington official sources, ammunition that can be employed against targets beyond the nation's borders to shield Kharkiv from a ferocious Russian onslaught. It is presumed to include ammunition for the HIMARS system, mortar systems, and a range of artillery shells. US President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris today.

00:54 Multiple Regions Face Power Outages

The Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo reports power outages in twelve regions. Affected regions include Lviv and Zakarpattia in the west, the capital Kiev, the region of Kiev, Odessa in the south, and Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia farther east. The power provider attributes consumption restrictions exceeded. Additionally, critical infrastructure facilities could be affected. as a result of Russian attacks on power facilities, the power generation capacity of the country has decreased drastically.

23:30 Due to "Russian Law": USA Bans Entry for Certain Georgians

Because of the passing of the "foreign influence" law in Georgia, the USA is prohibiting access for some individuals associated with the process. "A few dozen" people, including members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, parliamentarians, and members of the security services and their relatives, will be barred from entering the US starting now, according to the State Department. Washington had previously announced the action. Furthermore, connections with Georgia will be assessed. Tens of thousands of people in Georgia had been protesting for weeks to prevent the enactment of the law. The law echoes the 2012 Russian law against "foreign agents," which enables authorities to brutally oppress critical press and organizations.

22:13 Russian Governor: Occupied Ukrainian Territories Could Become a Federal District Soon

Russia may soon establish a new federal district by combining its occupied Ukrainian territories. This was reported by Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti, quoting Yevhen Balizkyi, a Russian governor involved in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia. Since 2014, Russia has illegally annexed Crimea and a portion of the Ukrainian Donbass region. Following the onset of the full-scale war in February 2022, Moscow seized additional regions, including Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.

8:22 Energy Crisis: Ukrenergo Turns Off Power in Kyiv and Other Regions

The state-run Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo has shut off power in Kyiv and twelve other Ukrainian regions. The company shared this information on its Facebook page through Ukrinform. The disruptions affected both domestic households and industrial facilities in the regions of Volhynia, Donetsk, Zhytomyr, Transcarpathia, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Mykolayiv, Kirovohrad, Odessa, Rivne, Kharkiv, and the city of Kyiv, as well as the Kyiv region.

8:17 Zelenskyy Appears to Be Visiting Bundestag on Tuesday

There are indications that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may visit Berlin on Tuesday and speak in the German parliament. News from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung revealed previous expectations of Zelenskyy's visit for the Ukraine reconstruction conference. This would be his first personal address to the Bundestag since the war began. To accommodate this, MPs would need to convene for a special session.

8:06 Macron Announces France's Donation of Mirage-2000 Fighter Jets to Ukraine

France will be giving Ukraine Mirage-2000 fighter jets. "These aircraft allow Ukraine to protect its land and airspace," said French President Emmanuel Macron in a French TV interview. He also disclosed that 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers would receive training.

7:39 Zelenskyy Commemorates Anniversary of Dams Collapse in Southern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the one-year anniversary of a dam collapse in southern Ukraine. "A year ago, the Russian invaders destroyed the dam and buildings of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station," Zelenskyy wrote on social media. The incident constituted one of the most significant environmental crimes committed by the Russian occupiers since their invasion. Thousands of people experienced the consequences of this crime, including disruption of water supplies for approximately half a million people and damage to neighboring countries in the Black Sea region.