5:35 PM Stockholm: Russian aircraft intrudes into Swedish airspace.

Swedish Airspace Violation: Russian Aircraft Intrudes at 17:35 in Stockholm's Skies

A Russian warplane is said to have breached Swedish airspace as claimed by authorities in Stockholm. The offending Su-24 fighter jet was intercepted by a Swedish Jet-39 Gripen near Gotland Island in the Baltic Sea, according to the Swedish Defense Ministry. The brief incursion reportedly lasted mere minutes, as per SVT. Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom rebuked Russia's actions and scheduled a meeting with the Russian ambassador. The Swedish Defense Ministry revealed that a similar encroachment by Russian military aircraft occurred in 2022. Sweden recently joined NATO and announced this week their participation in the NATO-led airspace surveillance.

In the wake of the G7 summit in Italy, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's terms for negotiating with Ukraine as "deceptive." Meloni remarked, "It appears that such a proposal for negotiations with Ukraine, to withdraw from Ukraine, doesn't seem overly successful." Putin had proposed the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories under Russian control as a prerequisite for a ceasefire and peace talks the day prior to the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. Kiev was also required to forgo NATO membership.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer views the Ukraine conference in Switzerland as a potential means to escape an impasse. "We're caught up in a Western echo chamber. We all agree, but that's not enough," Nehammer stated. The EU and the US are attempting to garner more allies to exert pressure on Moscow during the Ukraine conflict. "Without the participation of Asia, Africa, and South America, it won't work for us to encourage the Russian Federation to reconsider its stance," Nehammer added.

The Ukrainian President anticipates a historic peace conference in Switzerland, hinting, "History will be documented." During the conference, initial steps toward peace in Ukraine are expected to materialize. However, experts and critics believe that little progress will be made, as Russia is not a participant in the conference. The organizers have outlined three main themes: nuclear security, food security, and humanitarian issues. The list of issues to address is far shorter than the ten-point plan that Zelenskyy had previously presented, which included the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories and the cessation of hostilities.

In Switzerland, a peace conference aimed at ending Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine is underway. NTV reporter Weichert speculates that the absence of Russian representation might lead Moscow to take notice.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy views the pressure on Moscow mounting through the peace conference in Switzerland. The two-day gathering of 92 countries and eight international organizations revives the notion that collective action can halt a war and foster trust and peace, according to Zelenskyy prior to the commencement of deliberations. "We have given diplomacy a chance." Switzerland's Federal President Viola Amherd, however, tempered expectations for the conference. "Our objectives are modest," she declared. "It's about inspiring a process for a sustainable and just peace. Pivotal to this is the significance of international law as the foundation for international order. "Russia's aggression seriously violates this," Amherd added.

US Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Switzerland for the Ukraine peace conference in the afternoon. Harris flew from Zurich Airport to the venue on the Bürgenstock by helicopter and will represent US President Joe Biden, who is attending a campaign rally in California. It remains unclear whether a joint declaration will be issued. Numerous contentious issues persist among the delegations. It is also possible that a declaration will be issued without full consensus.

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Moscow dispatches four Russian Navy ships to Cuba, with an atomic-powered submarine and the warship "Admiral Gorshkov" among them. The frigate is a source of fascination for onlookers due to the Russian invitation to tour the ship.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denies allegations that Germany is impeding new sanctions against Russia within the EU. "It isn't being blocked. We are engaged in discussions regarding the practical implementation," Scholz explained to Welt TV and other media of the Axel Springer group. "The focus is on ensuring that the German economy can maintain its operations. However, goods destined for South America, Asia, or Africa should not indirectly reach Russia," Scholz continued. He is optimistic that an agreement will be reached soon. "This is a practical matter and not a fundamental issue." The newly proposed sanctions package includes measures to counter sanctions evasion, along with restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas, but not a ban on imports, as the European Parliament demands.

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13:38 US announces additional aid for Ukraine's energy sectorUS Vice President Kamala Harris announces a $1.5 billion support package to aid Ukraine's energy infrastructure rebuilding. The funds are intended to fix the damages caused by the war, according to the Vice President's office, who are participating in the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. Moreover, over $379 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine is planned.

13:18 Jaeger discusses post-G7 summit meetings: Is there a conference with Putin in Switzerland after the G7 summit?

Following the G7 summit, supporters of Ukraine are holding a peace conference in Switzerland. The anticipated outcomes from this meeting, as well as the further steps of a peace plan for Ukraine, are to be expected. Political scientist Thomas Jaeger discusses this with ntv:

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12:43 Swedish jets intervene against Russian military planesA Russian military plane allegedly breached Swedish airspace on Friday, as reported by Swedish military officials. The aircraft entered Swedish airspace east of the Baltic Sea island of Gotland and paid no attention to warnings, the Swedish military said. Two Swedish fighter jets then intercepted the SU-24. Earlier, the Finnish border guard had expressed doubts about as many as four Russian military planes infiltrating Finnish airspace on the previous Monday. Sweden has expressed concern about a potential Russian attack, particularly with regard to the strategically crucial island of Gotland:

12:07 Brigades: Only those who have experienced modern warfare firsthand can truly comprehend its realitiesThe 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, often deployed to particularly hot zones, uses US Bradley infantry fighting vehicles of the M1A1 type. The heavily used military equipment from abroad is reportedly suffering from poor maintenance. "Every piece of equipment needs to be repaired and improved, especially foreign equipment. No nation at peace will ever understand the realities of modern warfare," the 47th shares on social media. "The major advantage of the Bradley is its accuracy, its excellent stability, and its maneuverability despite its high weight," says a commander. The Bradley is suitable for combat during the day and night due to its good thermal imaging cameras.

11:35 Russia reports casualties after Ukrainian attacksAccording to Russian reports, five people were killed and several injured during Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border town of Schebekino. As the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reports, four bodies were found under the rubble of a building. A woman reportedly passed away in the hospital. Six civilians were also reportedly injured during Friday's late-night attack on Schebekino, a 40,000-resident town in the southern part of the Russian region of Belgorod, right next to the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. Russian troops began a ground offensive in the area on May 10.

10:56 Ukrainian intelligence reports an attack on a Russian airfield by drone swarmsThe head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kirillo Budanov, confirms, according to the War Zone magazine, a drone attack on the Morosovsk airfield in Russia. At least 70 drones were reportedly used in the attack. SU-34 fighter jets allegedly stood at the base. Budanov does not provide a number of downed jets. The assessment of Russian losses is still ongoing. Satellite images, published by War Zone, indicate signs of the alleged attack:

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(Header: Satellite images of the Morosovsk airfield after the alleged drone attack)

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According to the reports, Ukrainian military intelligence confirms a drone attack on the Morosovsk airfield in Russia, with at least 70 drones being used. SU-34 fighter jets were allegedly stationed at the base, but the number of downed jets and the assessment of Russian losses are yet to be determined.

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(Caption: Satellite images of the Morosovsk airfield after the alleged drone attack)

10:15 Ukraine is planning to launch a new phase of warThe Ukrainian military has been repeatedly targeting Russian air defense systems and destroying them in the past few weeks. Military expert Nico Lange states that Ukraine is meticulously and systematically preparing the use of its own Su-24 with British and French missiles and the use of F-16 fighter jets. Ukraine announced that it aims to gain air superiority to repel Russian forces. The first F-16s are expected to fly missions this summer, starting a new phase. However, Kiev might only be able to deploy a few combat jets initially due to a pilot shortage. It is also anticipated that the F-16s will be able to shoot down planes that fire glide bombs from Russian territory onto Ukraine.

09:33 Scholz reacts to Putin's peace proposalRussian President Vladimir Putin's peace initiatives for the start of peace talks were not discussed at the G7 summit, as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told ZDF. He stated that these proposals were not genuine and were somehow related to the conference in Switzerland. Putin declared peace conditions for talks with the Ukrainian government on Friday; Russia would halt fighting if Ukraine abandoned its attempts to join NATO, he said. Additionally, he demanded the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from the four regions that Russia has labeled annexed. More on this here.

09:01 NTV-Reporter Schmidt-Denker: "G7 summit wrap-up reveals outcomes and Ukraine support arrangements"The G7 summit in Italy has concluded, and the Switzerland peace conference is now underway. Not all G7 participants are heading to Switzerland. Ntv-Reporter Holger Schmidt-Denker shares the meeting's success rate and the plan for Ukraine support:

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08:35 Heusgen expects no political advancement from Ukraine peace conference in SwitzerlandChristoph Heusgen, head of the Munich Security Conference, does not anticipate any political advancement from the upcoming Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. He explained to t-online that the conference is primarily for displaying solidarity and that a powerful closing declaration is hoped for. The participation of representatives from Asian, Latin American, and African countries is crucial and will be noticed in other parts of the world. Heusgen added that Russia has challenged the international rule-of-law, which is concerning to countries in the global south.

07:47 Military expert: Peace conference could initiate process, with Russia potentially joining laterAccording to military expert Nico Lange, a peace conference in Switzerland "could start a process in which Russia might participate later." He stated that it's worth meeting under the conditions that negotiations do not involve food blockades, atomic weapons, or prisoner exchanges – principles widely accepted. Lange believes that Russia will only engage in meaningful weapons ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine when they face military pressure.

07:03 Defense contractor: Germany's defensive capabilities may not be strengthening, as European demand for military equipment increasesThe CEO of defense contractor KNDS, Frank Haun, suggests that the current German government is not strengthening Germany's defensive capabilities. In contracts, Haun doesn't see a trend reversal. According to him, the majority of the contract intake in 2023 came from other NATO countries, not Germany. His company, which manufactures the Leopard-2 battle tank, only has around 300 operational battle tanks in Germany. Therefore, he argues that although Germany may still defend places like Augsburg, larger cities like Munich and Berlin are no longer defensible.

06:30 EU Commissioner discusses 1.7 million artillery shell production capacity by the year's endAccording to Thierry Breton, French EU Commissioner, the European Union may have a production capacity of 1.7 million of the vital 155mm artillery shells by the year's end, with the number expected to reach over 2 million in the next year. By the end of 2025, the EU aims to reach 2.5 million. The EU has funded a series of factories for the production of the munitions through a program of 500 million euros. The Ukraine has experienced a significant shortage of 155mm artillery shells compared to the Russian side for a long time.

05:54 Initiation of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova by EU states imminentThe EU states have agreed, in principle, to initiate accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. The first government conferences are scheduled for June 25, subject to confirmation at an EU Council meeting on June 21 and the approval of the Dutch parliament. EU Council President, Charles Michel, declares that the EU will honor its commitments and support Ukraine and Moldova "on their journey to membership." In June, the European Commission had already certified that Ukraine and Moldova had fulfilled the conditions for accession negotiations.

04:54 Casualties reported in attacks in Russia and UkraineAuthorities in the Russian region of Belgorod reported six deaths the previous day, including four individuals rescued from a multi-story building in Schebekino. A man died from a Ukrainian drone attack on his car, and a woman passed away due to rocket fire in the western town of Oktjabrski. On the Ukrainian side, one person was reportedly killed by Ukrainian military in Schostka, Sumy Oblast. Residents of the Sumy region continue to experience daily Russian attacks.

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02:26 Preparations by Russia for evacuation of cultural heritage and historical artifacts from Crimea underwayAccording to Ukrainian news portal Ukrajinska Pravda, Russia is preparing to transport cultural heritage and historical artifacts from annexed Crimea. Allegedly, a letter from the Russian-led "Culture Ministry" of Crimea to museum directors discusses potential evacuations. The Russians are reportedly speeding up the classification and assessment of exhibits using electronic registers. The Ukrainian National Resistance Center is worried that valuable artifacts from Crimea may be taken to internationally recognized Russian territory.

00:39 Twelve children have been returned from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.

Twelve youngsters, who were captives in territories controlled by the Russians, have reportedly been brought back to regions under Ukrainian control, as per Ukrainian officials. These included nine girls and three boys ranging in age from 2 to 17, who were evacuated from the southern Kherson region to areas under Ukrainian control, as reported by Oleksandr Prokudin, the region's governor, on Telegram. Ukraine's government accuses Russia of abducting nearly 20,000 of its children from the eastern and southern parts since the invasion in February 2022. Many more children continue to live under Russian rule. The return of these kids is a diplomatic priority for the Ukrainian government.

23:07 - Russia claims an attack on a gas transshipment terminal in Kursk was carried out by Ukraine. Alexei Smirnov, the governor of the region of Kursk, reported on Telegram that several settlements were attacked, including the city of Sudja. There, the last functional center for Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine is located. Smirnov reported no damage to the gas infrastructure. However, two injured civilians and a destroyed house were recorded in the attack. The responsible Ukrainian utility company claims the Russian gas transit was not affected by the strikes.

22:13 - Austin states that Putin cannot dictate terms for Ukraine's peace to Kiev. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said after a NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels that Putin has unlawfully occupied Ukrainian territory. "We don't want a country's leader to wake up one day and decide to erase his neighbor's borders and annex its territory. That's not the world we want to live in," Austin said. Putin cannot impose conditions for Ukraine's peace. Putin could end this war at any moment. Putin had previously demanded Ukrainian troops to withdraw from territories that Russia had annexed as a condition for a potential peace agreement; these territories are still not under Russian control. He reiterated all his demands from the beginning of the war he initiated against Ukraine in February 2022. These include a neutral, non-aligned, and nuclear-free Ukraine, a demilitarized Ukraine, and a leadership in Kiev friendly to Russia.

21:45 - Germany halts new sanctions against Russia. Initially, the EU countries planned to discuss a 14th sanctions package against Russia at their scheduled ambassadors' meeting. However, Germany had raised concerns about the proposals that hadn't been addressed. The commencement of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova is considered a significant signal - particularly towards Kiev. On Saturday, the Ukraine peace conference begins in Switzerland.

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21:34 - EU countries agree on the start of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. The EU countries have agreed in principle on the initiation of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, as announced by the Belgian EU presidency in Brussels.

21:07 - Finland suspects four Russian jets have violated its airspace. The Finnish Border Guard believes that on the previous Monday, four Russian military aircraft violated Finnish airspace. Initially, only one aircraft was suspected, but as the investigation progressed, reasons emerged to suspect that three other aircraft might also have committed border violations. It's believed that these were two bombers and two fighter jets.

20:36 - Putin advocates for a new global security system - and NATO is welcome. Russian President Vladimir Putin considers the "Western model" for global security to be a failure, according to his statements. The current collapse of the European-transatlantic system is evident, Putin said during a meeting with Russian Foreign Ministry representatives. The world is at a point where there's no going back. He accused the US specifically of destabilizing global security by abandoning arms control agreements. Putin proposed the creation of a new global security system. This would be open to everyone, including NATO.

According to Putin, approximately 700,000 Russian soldiers are actively engaged in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that around 700,000 Russian soldiers are participating in combat operations in Ukraine. In December, he stated that there were 617,000 soldiers. The British intelligence service estimated in late May that over 500,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded since the start of the invasion. According to the platforms "Mediazona" and the Russian branch of the BBC, over 136,500 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine. Based on publicly available sources, the death of around 50,000 Russian soldiers has been confirmed. The Kremlin has officially acknowledged the death of slightly more than 6,000 fighters in September 2022.

You can read about previous developments here.