Swedish legislature approves military accord with the United States

Swedish lawmakers endorse defense alliance with United States

Defense agreement with Washington approved by Sweden's Parliament with a large majority: After a lengthy debate, 266 parliamentarians voted in favor of the agreement, 37 against it. Critics voice concerns over the potential deployment of nuclear weapons in Sweden and the establishment of permanent US military bases in the country. The document, signed in December in Stockholm and Washington, grants the US access to 17 military support points and training grounds in Sweden, as well as the ability to store weapons, military equipment, and ammunition.

Late Night Mistake with EM Map during Euro Football Championship: Moderator Johannes B. Kerner issued an apology on live television due to an error with an incorrect European map being shown on air that depicted Crimea as part of Russia rather than Ukraine. Kerner described the blunder as an unfortunate and serious mistake.

Zelensky Praises Effectiveness of Western Weapons Against Russian Territory: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed the viewpoint that western weapons, employed against Russian territory, have proven effective. Damage inflicted on Russian fortifications and launch sites near the border is of paramount importance, according to Zelensky in his daily video address. "Things are going well. Exactly as we anticipated." Zelensky commended several units for their accomplishments.

Tragic Loss in Bryansk Region: Two people lost their lives due to an explosion caused by a landmine in the Russian region of Bryansk, near the Ukrainian border. Locals unknowingly entered a prohibited zone that was marked with warning signs for mine danger, according to local governor Alexander Bogomas. One person was injured in the incident. The tragedy unfolded in the Klimovsky district, which lies next to the north Ukrainian region of Chernihiv. Bogomas advised citizens to remain vigilant and avoid areas with posted mine warnings, as Russia continues to fortify its border regions following the more than two-year-long conflict in Ukraine.

Estonian Professor Arrested for Espionage on Behalf of Russia: In Estonia, a former professor at the University of Tartu was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for spying for Russia. The convicted individual was found guilty by a Tallinn court of working in the interests of and on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the Republic of Estonia. The defendant is accused of collecting information on Estonia's domestic affairs, defense policy, and security measures, as well as related individuals and infrastructure. The professor was apprehended by the Estonian Security Police in January and has been held in pre-trial detention ever since.

Lettish Government Enhances Border Security with Russia: Lettland announced plans to increase security along its border with Russia, including the deployment of tank barriers. The government has allocated an additional 300 million Euros over the next five years to strengthen the border. Tank barriers, known as "hedgehogs" or "dragon's teeth," were highlighted as the primary reinforcement component. "Our objective is clear: not a single square inch of Lettish territory will be left unprotected," said the Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics during a border area visit. Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, all border guards in Latvia now carry assault rifles, in addition to their regular handguns, said the Chief of the Latvian Border Guard, Guntis Pujats. "The guards are similar to soldiers wearing body armor and helmets, prepared for potential conflicts with Russia and Belarus."

Putin's Visit to North Korea: Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a two-day state visit to North Korea. Following his arrival at Pyongyang airport, Putin was greeted by North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. The planned agenda includes discussions on further arms deliveries from Pyongyang, which Moscow intends to use in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

China Called to Halting Support for Russia's Defense Industry: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged China to stop backing Russia's defense industry. China provides critical support to ensure the continuation of Russia's defense industry, military operations, and the continuation of the war in Ukraine, according to Blinken during a joint appearance with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "It must cease," Blinken said. Blinken estimated that 70% of the tooling machines and 90% of the microelectronics imported by Russia come from China, significantly supporting its defense industry.

Oil Depot in Rostov Oblast Engulfed in Flames Following Drone Attack from Ukraine: A drone attack launched by Ukraine has led to a fire at an oil depot in the Rostov Oblast. The fire did not result in any human casualties. Videos of the firefighting efforts and Ukraine's viewpoint on the attack as a success were made public.

19:08 Russia Plans to Adjust Nuclear Deterrence Policy in Response to Ukraine Conflict and Western BehaviorAccording to the Russian Foreign Ministry, due to their military operation against Ukraine and the West's response, Russia is considering alterations to its nuclear doctrine. The deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, mentioned that some parameters in the military doctrine require modification, including the policy of nuclear deterrence, following insights from the "military special operation." Ryabkov, however, declined to reveal further details.

18:34 Swedish Airspace Violation Alleged by Swedish Authorities - SU-24 Bomber Overflight on Gotland Island?

Sweden has called in the Russian ambassador due to claims of a Swedish airspace invasion by a Russian military aircraft. The Swedish Foreign Ministry in Stockholm reported that the incident happened on Friday, the 14th of June. Swedish sources allege that a Russian SU-24 bomber flew over the Eastern Sea island of Gotland, approximately 350 kilometers east of the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The Swedish Air Force warned the Russian aircraft before the overflight, but it didn't deviate from its route, resulting in it being intercepted and expelled from Swedish airspace by two JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets.

18:09 Catching Russian Drones in Ukraine Conflict - Ukrainian Soldiers Using Tech Mix of Old and New

During the Ukraine conflict, drones are being used extensively by both sides, with the goal of detecting and attacking enemy positions. A television team is accompanying Ukrainian soldiers as they catch Russian drones from the sky, mainly at night when they swarm.

17:23 Alleged Beheading of Ukrainian Soldier by Russian Troops near East Ukraine Frontline

Kiev has accused Russian troops of beheading an Ukrainian soldier near the frontline in East Ukraine. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office announced on Telegram that Ukrainian commanders in the Wolnowacha region of the Donetsk region ordered their troops to not take prisoners among the Ukrainian soldiers. During an aerial reconnaissance mission, the head of a Ukrainian soldier was found in a military vehicle. Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin claimed it as a violation of the Geneva Conventions and vowed that it would not go unpunished. He called upon the "entire civilized world to isolate and punish the terrorist country." There was no response from Moscow regarding the accusation. The AFP news agency could not independently verify the Ukrainian claims.

16:54 Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Likely to Support Rutte as NATO Chief; Opposes Rutte over Ukraine Promises

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has relinquished his resistance to the appointment of Mark Rutte as the new Secretary General of NATO. Orban declared that Hungary would back Rutte's candidacy. With this, Rutte's path as Stoltenberg's successor is clear. However, the only remaining obstacle is the publicly unyielding candidacy of the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis for the NATO top job. Iohannis, however, has no significant supporters left. Orban stated that the reason for his concession in the personnel matter was a letter from Rutte, which addresses Hungarian demands, such as the desire to ensure that Hungary would not be pressured into participating in a planned NATO mission to coordinate weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

16:18 Putin Praises North Korea for Supporting Russia's Offensive in Ukraine

Before his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Pyongyang through state media for their decisive support of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. In a guest article published by the North Korean state news agency KCNA and the newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Putin wrote, "We highly value the fact that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) has resolutely supported the Russian military special operation in Ukraine." Meanwhile, South Korea reported a brief border crossing by North Korean soldiers.

15:43 Denial of Access to Soviet Archives by Russia Condemned by European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has condemned Russia for denying access to archives to human rights organizations, such as Memorial, regarding repressions during the Soviet era. "The search for historical truth is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression," the Strasbourg Court declared. The refusal constitutes an interference with the right to information and therefore violates the European Convention on Human Rights.

15:03 Slovakia Expresses Support for Rutte as New NATO Chief

Slovakia has expressed its readiness to support Mark Rutte as the new NATO Secretary-General. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated after a discussion with Rutte and consultations with the Slovak government, "Slovakia can imagine Mark Rutte as NATO Secretary-General." However, the official support of Hungary and Romania, whose President Klaus Iohannis announced in March that he is also running for the top position, is still lacking. The incumbent NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has already extended his term several times. He plans to step down from his position at the NATO headquarters in October after a decade. The NATO Secretary-General is appointed in the consensus procedure and therefore needs the support of all 32 members. Numerous countries have already expressed their support for the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Rutte.

14:26 Swiss Federal Prosecutor Investigates Alleged Russian Agents

The Swiss Federal Prosecutor is investigating allegations of Russian agents in Switzerland. The investigation has been ongoing for several months. The identities of the agents and the nature of their activities are still unknown. Swiss authorities have not yet commented on the investigation.

Authorities in Switzerland suspect a Russian diplomat of attempting to acquire weapons and hazardous substances, reportedly seeking permission from the government to investigate a political offense. The Federal Prosecutor's Office has already executed search warrants as part of preventive measures, according to an announcement. Previously, Tages-Anzeiger reported that a diplomat at the Russian embassy in Bern was under investigation. Sources claim the suspected agent established connections in Switzerland prior to the Ukraine summit, which was held without Russian participation last weekend. To continue the probe, the Federal Prosecutor's Office has also requested immunity to be lifted.

Italian media reports Italy will supply Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine as part of its next military package. The state Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported this, citing the Italian daily. The Defense Ministry anticipates presenting the ninth military package to parliament at the end of June, without specifying the number of weapons.

A Russian political scientist, Viacheslav Morozov, has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison in Estonia for espionage. The Russian opposition media outlet Meduza reported this, citing the Estonian public broadcaster. Morozov, who worked at the University in Tartu, Estonia, was arrested in January for sharing political insights about Estonia and its EU relationships with Russian intelligence services.

NATO General Christian Badia believes efforts to defend against modern hypersonic weapons are crucial for establishing a credible deterrence, requiring both defensive capabilities and the ability to counterattack. Russia already employs these weapons against Ukraine, and warning times could shrink to as little as two minutes, according to the meeting discussions. Markus Ziegler from the German Aerospace Industries Association stated, "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 only 20 minutes."

A fuel depot in the Russian city of Asow is believed to have been attacked by the Ukrainian Security Service, according to a source in the agency. The fire engulfed approximately 3200 square meters, and over 200 firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze, as reported by The Kyiv Independent.

British intelligence assesses that Russian troops have taken control of the village of Novooleksandrivka, about 20 kilometers north of Avdiivka, bringing the Russian army closer to the T0504 highway, one of Ukraine's main supply lines.

Putin and Kim Jong Un are expected to sign a treaty on comprehensive cooperation during Putin's visit to Pyongyang. The treaty, to be signed at the highest level, will likely outline the strategic goals of Russia and North Korea and their joint approach to regional and global issues.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's criticism of China's stance on the Ukraine war has been dismissed by the Chinese government. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian advised, "We advise (NATO) to cease the attribution of blame to others, not to sow discord, and not to pour oil on the fire." Instead, NATO should take concrete steps "for the political resolution of the crisis."

A Ukrainian woman was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Moscow for playing an anti-war declaration and the Ukrainian national anthem from her apartment window and releasing white-blue-white balloons.

The Russian Navy is conducting exercises in the Pacific Ocean before Putin's state visit to North Korea, involving around 40 ships, boats, aircraft, and helicopters. The exercises will focus on combat against submarines and defense against air attacks.

Putin's portrait lines the streets of Pyongyang during his visit to North Korea, with numerous Russian flags also seen as a symbol of the strong relationship between the two nations.

Russian President Putin is visiting North Korea today and tomorrow, with weapons likely on his mind, according to NTV-Russia correspondent Rainer Munz. Putin's visit comes as diplomatic support is also important, but it's clear that weapons are a priority.

Rwanda has withdrawn its support from the final declaration of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, according to Ukrainian media. Rwanda's name is no longer on the list of signatories on the Swiss government's website. Currently, 77 states and 5 organizations support the declaration.

According to Ukrainian military analyst Petro Chernyk, Russia is facing shortages of explosives for artillery shells, a problem that the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has also reported. In addition, Russia is reportedly gradually shifting from self-propelled to towed artillery systems, but faces issues with both versions, without further clarification. However, Russia cannot produce more self-propelled systems as it only has five to six corresponding machines.

The Ukrainian Air Force claims to have destroyed all ten Russian drones used in night attacks over the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk. According to their own statements on Telegram, this was done over the past few nights.

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 aircraft was important for detecting air defense systems and guided missiles, as well as coordinating targets for Russian combat jets. Russia is said to have fewer than ten of these aircraft, whose price is estimated at around 350 million dollars.

According to the statements of the governor of the Russian city of Asov in the Rostov region near the Ukrainian border, oil refineries in Asov have caught fire after a Ukrainian drone attack. There are no casualties reported so far, and the local fire department is working to bring the fires under control.

Russia is in talks with the USA over a possible prisoner exchange of the detained US reporter Evan Gershkovich. According to Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, contacts have been ongoing since President Vladimir Putin spoke of such contacts in early June. However, no further information can be given about this matter.

The detained US soldier Gordon Black, who is being held in Russia for suspected theft among other reasons, partially confessed in court in Vladivostok. Black reportedly told the court that he is "partially guilty" of the theft, but did not do it intentionally. He also denied threatening his girlfriend with death. Several other US citizens are already in custody in Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former soldier Paul Whelan, who are both accused of espionage.

The German Federal Network Agency has imposed a fine of 75,000 Euros on pipeline operator Gascade in connection with the controversial German-Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2. The agency in Bonn announced that Gascade published incorrect data in 2021 due to IT problems, which suggested that the pipeline's commissioning was imminent. The market reacted to the false report and assumed that the pipeline's inauguration was about to take place soon, resulting in significantly lower prices.

Putin has expressed gratitude to North Korea for its support of Russia's offensive in Ukraine in a statement published by the state North Korean news agency KCNA. According to the statement, both countries are working to "actively develop the multifaceted partnership."

Intense fighting has broken out in parts of the northeastern Ukrainian region of Charkiw, according to Russian reports. The pro-Russian governor of the occupied territories in the Charkiw region, Vitali Gantschew, stated that the enemy is sending reinforcements and trying to launch a counterattack, but is facing fierce resistance from Russian troops. Russian troops have reportedly entered parts of the Charkiw region a month ago and have taken control of around a dozen villages, according to official statements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kiev's forces would gradually expel the Russian troops from the disputed territory.

00:55 DIW Chief Slams Benefits Reduction for Ukrainian Refugees as Empty PopulismMarcel Fratzscher, the figurehead of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), slams calls for a decrease in social benefits for Ukrainian refugees as mere populism. "Nobody will be any better off, and no one will pocket an extra Euro if Germany treats refugees worse and slashes their benefits," Fratzscher stated to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "The German government doesn't need to shell out less cash on refugees, but it needs to put in more legwork for a faster and better integration of refugees into the job market and society," Fratzscher called out.

23:55 Most Ukrainians Stand by Zelenskyy Amid Prolonged ConflictAccording to a poll by the International Sociological Institute in Kiev, 70% of the 2011 surveyed Ukrainians believe that Zelenskyy should remain in the presidency until the conclusion of the conflict. Just 22% are opposed to this. This contradicts the Russian sentiment that Zelenskyy's term has already terminated and he is no longer the recognized president of Ukraine.

22:55 European Parliament Concerned Over Finnish Deportation PlansThe European Parliament shows concern over the Finnish administration's plan to return migrants from Russia, allegedly dispatched intentionally across the shared border by Moscow. The European Human Rights Commissioner of the European Parliament, Michael O'Flaherty, urges Finland's Parliament President Jussi Halla-aho to skip the draft law in a letter. The current Finnish center-right government wants to strengthen immigration laws significantly. For starters, they tabled a bill at the end of May that grants border guards the authority to turn away asylum seekers.

22:15 Peskov: Peace Conference Outcome "Aims for Zero"The Kremlin keeps criticizing the outcome of the Swiss peace conference for Ukraine, as it transpired without Russian participation. "When referring to the results of this meeting, they naturally aim for zero," Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, said in Moscow. Moscow remains unfazed by the support shown by Russia-friendly countries like Serbia, Turkey, or Hungary towards the final declaration. "We will surely take their view into consideration. It matters to us. We will carry on explaining our stance to them," Peskov added. The Russian Foreign Ministry brands the conference a "catastrophic failure," as per a statement by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, reported by the state news agency Tass.

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