U.S.-Russian journalist will continue to be held by Russia till August.
Russian authorities have confirmed that they will be holding journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in custody until at least August 5th for an investigation and trial. The US-funded Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty editor, who has been arrested since October 18th, is accused of not registering as a foreign agent while gathering information on the Russian military.
At 21:48, President Volodymyr Zelensky concluded a series of negotiations in Sweden and signed long-term security agreements with Norway and Iceland. The 10-year pact with Norway sees Oslo focus on supporting Ukraine's needs in sea and air defense, with the potential for Norwegian defense industry production in Ukraine. Iceland also committed to a 10-year agreement.
A Swiss volunteer deployed, helping with evacuations in war zones, was injured during a Russian attack on Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region at 21:16. The local prosecutor's office reported that Russian forces attacked the village of Shestakovo and the city of Vovchansk, injuring three people.
China has opted to not attend a peace conference on Ukraine in Switzerland next month, citing expectations that both Russia and Ukraine must participate. The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed an exclusive report by Reuters about their decision.
Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo warns China of the potential consequences for supporting Russia. While China has denied providing military support, the US has previously accused China of supplying Russia's war machine with "dual-use goods." Adeyemo, who visited Kyiv days earlier, urged China to choose between maintaining economic ties with the West and forming an alliance with Russia. "Companies from China have to decide whether to do business in our economies or supply Russia's war machines with dual-use goods. They cannot do both," he said.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry criticized "anti-Ukrainian" remarks made by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze. Statements made at the opening of a new bridge in Tbilisi on May 30 were condemned by Kyiv for their disparagement of the EuroMaidan Revolution and the courage of the Ukrainian people in the fight for freedom and independence.
In response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants, the country has significantly increased electricity tariffs. A 60 percent hike aims to maintain the system and cover the cost of repair work in damaged power plants, transformer stations, and high-voltage lines. "We must use all possible resources," explained Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko.
Since a new mobilization law was implemented in Ukraine, there has been an increase in the number of conscripted soldiers. Signed by Zelensky in late May, the law simplifies the process of identifying suitable conscripts and provides for additional penalties for those who refuse military service. Additionally, the minimum age for conscription dropped from 27 to 25 years.
Following the passing of an updated mobilization law in mid-April, Ukraine has seen an upsurge in conscripted soldiers. The law simplifies the process of identifying and recruiting conscripts and introduces additional penalties for those who decline military service. The law also lowered the minimum age for conscription from 27 to 25. President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on these developments during a press conference.
Following the implementation of a new Ukrainian mobilization law in late May, which aimed to speed up the mobilization process during the ongoing war with Russia, remarks by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze were criticized by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry as "anti-Ukrainian." Kobachidze, who said that the Georgian dream would not allow for a "Maidan" to take place in Georgia, was found to have made offensive remarks about the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2014 and Ukrainian governments elected afterwards. The OSCE has deemed both Ukraine's 2014 and 2019 presidential elections as "competitive" and respectful of fundamental freedoms. Given the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Ukraine has had to raise electricity tariffs by over 60 percent to cover the costs of repairing power plants, transformer stations, and high-voltage lines. Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko explained that these increases will help maintain the system through the duration of the conflict. Norway and Iceland have each signed a 10-year pact with Ukraine, with Norway focusing on sea and air defense and potential production in Ukraine, while Iceland also committed to a 10-year agreement. The US warned China about the consequences of supporting Russia in its attacks on Ukraine. Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told China to choose between maintaining economic ties with the West or forming an alliance with Russia. The Russian military has captured 28 Ukrainian settlements since May 28th, according to Russian authorities.
Russian armed forces boast about their progress in the conflict against Ukraine, asserting they've captured 28 settlements this month, according to Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belyanovsky. He announced these victories at a Moscow-dominated Military Bloc Organization for Collective Security (CSTO) summit in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Belyanovsky added that in some critical areas of the Kharkiv region, the Russian military had forced the enemy to retreat by 8 to 9 kilometers. Since the beginning of the year, Russia allegedly seized 880 square kilometers of land. If this is true, this acquired area would be similar in size to Berlin, but this cannot be verified independently.
At 17:36, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg accused China of arming Russia in its war against Ukraine. Stoltenberg made these remarks after a meeting with Foreign Ministers of the 32 NATO member states. He claimed that China was furnishing Russia with stocks of equipment that could be used for both civilian and military purposes. This included high-end technology and semiconductors. Stoltenberg explained that without these advanced high-end products, Russia would not have produced the bombs, rockets, and aircraft they've used in their Ukrainian attack. 90% of the microelectronics Russia imported last year came from China.
In Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck's point of view, Ukraine needs to protect its citizens by preventing attacks from Russia. The Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Minister expresses his approval of the German government's decision to allow the intended use of German-supplied weapons against military objectives in Russia. Habeck said Kharkiv came under fire from Russian territory, causing concern for the safety of Ukrainian people. Habeck believes self-defense is necessary, forbidding it would lead to more casualties.
Following a false report of a partial mobilization in Poland, the national intelligence agency is probing whether the state news agency, PAP, became the victim of a Russian cyberattack. Virtualization Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski stated there was a strong suspicion that the attack originated from Russia, allegedly intended to spread misleading information before the European elections. The false story claimed that Prime Minister Donald Tusk had ordered a partial mobilization for July 1st, involving 200,000 Poles, both former soldiers and civilians, being deployed to Ukraine.
16:22 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is confident that military aid provided to Ukraine is making a difference. Speaking at a NATO foreign ministers' conference, he commended the supply of tens of thousands of artillery shells, thousands of anti-tank mines, and air defense capabilities to Ukraine. Additional air defense systems would also be provided by Germany and the Netherlands. The front lines in Ukraine's east and northeast have reportedly stabilized, with Ukraine making significant gains against Russia in the Black Sea region.
Following the exchange of 150 prisoners, Russia and Ukraine each returned 75 detainees. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, shared this news on social media platforms. The Russian Defense Ministry echoed the sentiments, saying 75 Russian soldiers were back from the area under Ukrainian control.
Green faction leader Britta Haßelmann defended Ukraine's right to defend itself in light of the brutal, illegal Russian aggression. She referred to the German government's decision to allow the use of German-supplied weapons against Russian military targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj predicted that the conflict would see Ukraine eventually using Western weapons on Russian territory. In a conference, he stated, "I think that the use of any weapon, regardless of its type, a western weapon on Russian territory, is a matter of time."
Shaking hands and smiling at the camera, US actor Steven Seagal, who holds Russian citizenship, was awarded an order by Vladimir Putin, making him Russia's special envoy for relations with the United States.
The German Defense Ministry denies claims that a Bundeswehr IRIS-T missile is missing. They asserted, "We aren't missing any missile. At no point did we lose a weapon." The IRIS-T system is an air defense system Germany has supplied to Ukraine. Reports surfaced from the "Business Insider" suggesting that a missile of this system had disappeared from the Bundeswehr's possession.
13:56 Russia and Ukraine swap 150 prisoners
After a prolonged stalemate, both Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners for the first time. The Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow confirms the exchange of 75 Russian soldiers whose lives were in peril. In return, 75 POWs were handed over to the Ukrainian military. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange via his Telegram channel. Zelensky mentioned that apart from regular soldiers, members of the National Guard and Border Guard, and four civilians were returned to Ukraine. The last major prisoner exchange occurred in February.
13:41 China declines involvement in Ukraine peace conference
China rejects the invitation to participate in the Ukrainian peace conference organized by Switzerland. It claims a gap exists between the meeting's agenda and the requirements of China and the general expectations of the international community. The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, expressed her concerns in Beijing. The diplomatic community acknowledged that they have received news of China's withdrawal. Mao explained, "According to all parties and the declared setup of the meeting, it seems impractical for China to implement the three elements it proposed." The three elements at question are the conference's acceptance by both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties, and a "fair discussion of all peace options."
13:21 Scholz advises caution: "Prevent a catastrophic war"
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz justified his decision to enable Ukraine to employ German weapons against Russian targets. He added, "We need to avoid a major war - a war between Russia and NATO. We must also ensure that Ukraine can defend its independence and sovereignty." An escalation cannot be avoided without "caution and deliberation," Scholz noted, stressing the importance of coordination with allies.
13:07 Russia extends imprisonment for US journalist Kurmasheva
A Russian court prolonged the detention of US journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until early August. Her defense attorneys requested release on house arrest, but the district court in Kazan denied the request. Kurmasheva has been prohibited from leaving Russia since last year. She has been incarcerated since October. RFE/RL condemned the incarceration, considering it a retaliatory measure for Kurmasheva's journalistic work.
12:43 Medvedev issues warning: Potential use of nuclear weapons not a bluff
Russia considers utilizing nuclear weapons again in the Ukraine war following the liberalization of restrictions on Western weaponry used in the conflict. Former President Dmitry Medvedev cautioned the West about the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons, intended for deployment on the front line rather than eliminating the entire enemy. Medvedev hinted at the risk of the conflict broadening into a total war. A prominent Russian parliamentarian also threatened the West with an asymmetrical war. Medvedev's remarks follow shifts in Western military policies regarding Ukraine's usage of Western weapons. According to reports from US government sources, President Joe Biden has now sanctioned the use of US weapons against targets in Russia that aid their offensive against the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. These could include airplanes launching rockets onto Kharkiv from Russian territory. The German government has also offered Ukraine unlimited freedom in defending Kharkiv.
12:18 Sharma: US weapons grant Ukraine right to strike Russian heartland
The United States has relaxed regulations for Ukraine's usage of American weapons, allowing the country to attack targets on Russian soil under specific conditions and in limited quantities. This change creates a buzz within NATO nations. The NTV reporter, Kavita Sharma, shares reactions to this policy adjustment from Ukraine.
The German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, has justified the decision of the German government to let Ukraine use German weapons against military targets in Russia, calling it a "strategic adaptation" to the changing circumstances in the conflict. Speaking during a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart, Anatolie Nosatii, in Chisinau, Pistorius stated, "This is the right move. It's what we've been doing ever since Putin started his war against Ukraine. We've always adapted our strategy to the situation."
The controversy over supplying Germany's long-range missiles of the Taurus type to Ukraine will not be revisited by the German government, according to Pistorius, who responded to a journalist's question about the prospect of long-range weapon discussions. "The border remains the same, even after our statements and those of our partners," commented the minister.
11:46 - Strack-Zimmermann Still Hopes for Taurus Renewal
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the outgoing chairperson of the Bundestag Defense Committee and a member of the FDP party, remains hopeful that the debate on providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles might be reopened. However, she acknowledges it's a slim possibility. In Berlin, she explains her optimistic stance, "The situation is fluid, and we should not be so calculable in these times, referring to the continued Russian attacks on Kharkiv. Western support for Ukraine has been consistent, and sometimes, you have to take risks."
11:32 Munz: Putin in a Dilemma Over Nuclear Threats
Since the beginning of the war, Putin has made numerous threats against Europe and NATO. He also warned during a debate about the use of Western weapons. However, despite all these warnings, countries still provide aid to Ukraine. According to NTV journalist Rainer Munz, this has left Putin with only one option that is not really an option. He opined that the Russian president is currently left in a dilemma.
11:19 Zelenskyy: Russian Troops Mock Ukrainians and Target Them
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the delay in Joe Biden's decision to use Western weapons against Russian targets has emboldened the Russian forces, who now "mock" Ukrainians and "hunt" them. Zelenskyy claimed this in an interview with the British newspaper "Guardian," stating, "The delay in using Western weapons against Russian targets has allowed the killers, the terrorists who are killing us, to operate from the Russian side."
11:08 - Orban: NATO Tragically Closer to a War
Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister, says NATO is inching closer to war every week. He views the increasing involvement of the military alliance in the Ukrainian conflict as absurd. "This is like trying to put out a fire with a flamethrower," he said. Orban has been in conflict with Western states over their support for Ukraine since the commencement of the Russian invasion in February 2022 and has strong ties with the Russian government. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg suggested at a meeting of the NATO foreign ministers in Prague that some limitations on the use of weapons provided to Ukraine should now be reconsidered.
10:51 Berlin Allows Ukraine to Use German Weapons against Russian Targets
Steffen Hebestreit, a German government spokesman, has announced that Ukrainian troops will be allowed to use German-supplied weapons against Russian military targets.
10:46 - Zelenskyy Expected to Attend Singapore Security Conference
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend a security conference in Singapore this weekend. Among the topics of the "Shangri-La Dialogue," the most significant Asian security conference, are the support for Ukraine, according to six sources familiar with the situation. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun are also scheduled to attend. Zelenskyy has been lobbying for Ukraine's involvement in an international conference in Switzerland aimed at finding ways to end the war. However, Russia has not been invited and has declined to participate.
10:16 - China: Our Peace Conference Demands are Fair
Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, has called for a peace conference involving both Russia and Ukraine. "Our demands for a peace conference are fair and impartial. They do not target any specific party," she asserted. But Reuters reports that China will not be participating in the Ukraine peace conference in mid-June. Russia has also not been invited to this Switzerland-hosted conference. "We value the fact that Switzerland is hosting the first Ukraine peace summit and have been working with the Swiss side and all the involved parties since the beginning of this year," added Mao. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov previously suggested that China could host a peace conference.
Ukrainian troops have pulled back from around 8 to 9 kilometers in pivotal areas of the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine, reported Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. In May, Russian military forces seized control of over 28 towns in Ukraine, as per state news agency Interfax, quoting the minister. They had conquered a total area of 880 square kilometers this year.
9:52: Energy Facilities in Kyiv Suffered Damage from Russian Missile Strike
The energy facilities in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, suffered damage due to a Russian missile attack, according to DTEK, a Ukrainian energy company. A power plant was destroyed and the power grid in the Holosiyivskyi district was harmed. Certain private residences are still without power. The Russian forces attacked utilizing drones and short-range ballistic missiles of the type Iskander, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force.
9:28: Ukrainian General Staff: Oil Depot in Russian Black Sea Port of Kavkaz Assaulted
Ukrainian troops attacked an oil depot in the Russian Black Sea port of Kavkaz during the night, reported the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff. Witnesses previously claimed they saw explosions and a sizable fire at the Kavkaz port, with several social media posts circulating that seemingly depict the incident. The General Staff mentioned that the depot was damaged by several Neptune missiles of Ukrainian origin. There's currently no information available on the degree of the damage. As well, the Ukrainian forces struck two ships near the Kerch Strait Bridge. The Kavkaz port is situated on the island of Tuzla, near the Ukrainian-occupied city of Kerch on the Crimean peninsula.
8:54: US Weapons Targeting Russian Targets: NATO Chief Stoltenberg Sees No Escalation Peril
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg believes that the US decision to allow Ukraine to launch limited attacks on Russian targets poses no risk of escalation. "Russia itself escalates by attacking another country," and the same goes for the clashes in the Kharkiv region, Stoltenberg stated while attending a NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Prague. He also urged Germany and other countries to authorize similar actions involving weapons furnished by them. "Ukraine has the legal right to self-defense, which includes the right to target legitimate military targets in Russia," he affirmed. This becomes even more critical given the ongoing confrontation in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border.
8:41: Ukrainian Defense: Four Shahed Drones Intercepted in the Night
The Ukrainian air defense units intercepted four Russian Shahed attack drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile in the previous night, reported the Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleschtchuk via Telegram. Consequently, Ukrainian air defense missile systems and portable artillery units intercepted four Shahed drones in the regions of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk, plus one Iskander-K rocket in the region of Kyiv.
8:09: Four Victims Discovered After Rocket Attack on Kharkiv Residential Building
The casualties from a Russian nighttime rocket attack on Kyiv have climbed to four, with 25 others sustaining injuries. The Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, disclosed this information via Telegram, as stated by the Ukraine News Agency Ukrinform. "Unfortunately, another body was uncovered in the wreckage. Currently, there are four casualties," he wrote.
7:31: Nearly 1400 Russian Soldiers Killed or Disabled in a Single Day
The casualties sustained by the Russian military are high, claims official figures from Kyiv: Over a thousand Russian soldiers have perished or are no longer capable of fighting within a day. As per the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, since the beginning of the war in February 2022, a total of 507,650 Russian troops have been "removed." As per the daily reports of Ukrainian losses in Russia, the adversary has also lost 18 additional tanks (7,728). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has calculated almost 15,000 armored vehicles and around 10,500 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently corroborated. Moscow remains silent on its losses in Ukraine.
7:14: Injuries Reported in Russian-occupied Crimea Due to Ukrainian Air Raid
Two individuals were injured in a Ukrainian air attack on oil facilities in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, according to local authorities. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev announced through Telegram that the infrastructure of an oil depot in the Temryuk district was harmed. Burning debris from shot-down drones sparked a fire, which was subsequently contained. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the air defense system destroyed five rockets and 29 drones launched by Ukraine at the Krasnodar region in the early morning. Drone attacks were also documented in the areas of Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov.
Overnight, there were multiple explosions in Crimea, which is under Russian control, according to accounts from witnesses. These reports have been shared by the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, as confirmed by Ukrinform, a state news agency. The explosions allegedly took place at Port Kavkaz, where there's a reported fire at an oil depot. Earlier, there had been reports of a significant fire in the port region. As per the Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two ferries from Kerch were targeted by ATACMS missiles.
06:17 USA: Russia has been using North Korean rockets in Ukraine
As per an analysis conducted by the U.S. military, Russia is deploying North Korean-made rockets in their ongoing war against Ukraine. According to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), remnants of these rockets have been discovered across Ukraine.
04:34 USA: China's support for Russia is a menace to Europe
The U.S. government has classified China's allegiance with Russia as a risk to European security. The U.S., in conjunction with their G7 partners and other EU and NATO nations, fear that China's backing of Russia not only endangers Ukraine but also European safety. The U.S. administration accused China's leadership the previous day for supporting Russia's battle in Ukraine and imparted the threat of more sanctions. "If China doesn't restrict its support for the Russian arms industry," Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson for the U.S. State Department mentioned during a media briefing, "the U.S. is prepared to take additional measures."
02:50 Rocket strikes residential building in Kharkiv: Three civilians perish
Russia fired rockets from Belgorod to strike Kharkiv in the middle of the night, as indicated by local authorities. Records indicate five hits in the city, including one at a five-story residential building. Nearly 20 residential structures were harmed, as recycled by Ukrayinska Pravda, which also published images. Three individuals died in the rocket assault, and 16 others were injured. Amidst the injured were two children.
01:46 SPD politician champions usage of Western weapons against Russian military targets
SPD foreign policy spokesperson Nils Schmid aspires to permit Ukraine to employ Western weapons against Russian army objectives. "It would make sense to lift the limitation on targets on Russian territory," the overseas policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary faction commented in articles published by the Funke Media Group publications. "This should be determined by the NATO allies jointly."
00:06 Scholz refutes proposals of dispatching German troops to Ukraine, imposition of no-fly zone
Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects the deployment of German troops in Ukraine and the imposition of a no-fly zone. Addressing a reader's gathering with the Thuringian Allgemeine in Erfurt, Scholz remarked, "We don't want to engage our soldiers." This decision also encompasses the proposal of a no-fly zone that would involve shooting down enemy aircraft using one's own planes, resulting in a war between NATO and Russia. Scholz emphasized the necessity of averting a war between NATO and Russia.
22:25 Insider: Biden has permitted usage of U.S. weaponry in Ukraine against Russia, within constraints
The U.S. has allegedly allowed Ukraine to utilize U.S. weapons against Russia - however, only in the Kharkiv region. This is based on a statement from a U.S. government representative. This represents a shift in stance from U.S. President Joe Biden, who had formerly dismissed the idea of Ukrainian forces utilizing U.S. weaponry for assaults in Russia. The condition that Ukraine shouldn't employ ground-based long-range missiles and other ammunition for invasions within Russia remains unchanged, as declared by U.S. government sources.
22:06 Pertinent Ukrainian attack brigade showcases street fighting in Vovchansk
The Liut Brigade, a branch of the Ukrainian armed forces, has conveyed defense efforts in Vovchansk alongside other troops. This unit has now shared a video they claim shows street combat within the city. As shared by the brigade, the film depicts Storm Regiment Tsunami soldiers hindering Russian soldiers from occupying a building.
Read also:
- Russia's detention of US-funded journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been extended until August, due to an investigation into her alleged failure to register as a foreign agent during her information gathering on the Russian military.
- In response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants, the Ukrainian government has increased electricity tariffs by 60% to cover the costs of repair work and maintain the system during the ongoing conflict.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has predicted that the conflict will eventually result in Ukraine using Western weapons on Russian territory.
- Due to concerns over potential Russian cyberattacks, the Polish national intelligence agency is probing whether a false report of a partial mobilization in Poland was a result of a Russian cyberattack aimed at spreading misleading information before the European elections.
