U.S. Top Diplomat Blinken Urges China: Cease Aiding Russia "Immediately"

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken demands China halt its backing of Russia

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12:30pm - Blinken Slams China's Aid to Russia's War Machine:US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls out China for supporting Russia's military industry. This assistance, Blinken says, is crucial for Russia to keep their defense industry operational, maintain their military hardware, and prolong the war in Ukraine. Blinken remarks, "That must stop," during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. According to Blinken, 70% of Russia's machining tools and 90% of their microelectronics are imported from China, significantly bolstering Russia's defense sector.

7:30pm - Russian Oil Depot Under Attack:A Russian oil depot in the Rostov Oblast is ablaze after an attack by drones from Ukraine. The fire is spreading, but no casualties have been reported yet. Russia shares footage of their firefighting efforts, while Ukraine considers the incident a success.

7:08pm - Russia Mulls Over Nuclear Changes:With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia plans to revise its nuclear doctrine, as per the Foreign Ministry. The lessons from the "military special operation" and the West's response have shown that adjustments are needed in nuclear deterrence policies, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov. However, Ryabkov refrains from providing more details.

6:34pm - Swedish Ambush Alleged:Following a suspected intrusion of Swedish airspace by a Russian military aircraft, Sweden has summoned the Russian ambassador. The Swedish Foreign Ministry cites "the Russian violation of Swedish airspace on June 14" as the reason. Swedish authorities claim that a Russian SU-24 bomber flew over the Baltic Sea island of Gotland, about 350 kilometers east of the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The Swedish Air Force warned the Russian aircraft before it entered Swedish airspace, and the Swedish Armed Forces report that the aircraft didn't alter its course and was subsequently intercepted by two JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets.

6:09pm - Drone Down on the Front:In the Ukraine conflict, drones are extensively used to spy on and attack enemy positions. A TV crew is accompanying Ukrainian soldiers who uses a mix of old and new technology to shoot down Russian drones, especially at night when they are most active.

5:23pm - Kyiv Accuses Russian Troops of atrocities:Air Reconnaissance accuses Russian troops of beheading an Ukrainian soldier near the front in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office claims that the commanders of the Russian occupation forces in the Wolnowacha region of Donetsk have ordered their troops not to take prisoners among Ukrainian soldiers. During an air reconnaissance, a Ukrainian soldier's head was discovered in a military vehicle. Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin labels it a breach of the Geneva Convention and declares that the incident won't go unpunished. Kostin appeals to "the entire civilized world to isolate and punish the terrorist country." There's been no response from Moscow regarding the accusation. The news agency AFP couldn't independently verify the Ukrainian assertions.

5:54pm - Orbanbacks Rutte for NATO:Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban drops his opposition against the appointment of the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the new Secretary General of NATO. Orban announces that Hungary is prepared to support Rutte's candidacy. With this, Rutte's path as Stoltenberg's successor seems clear. The only hurdle remaining is the publicly undrawn candidacy of the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis for the NATO top job. Iohannis, however, has no strong supporters left. Orban explains the reason for his concession as a letter from Rutte, in which he takes Hungarian demands into account. Among these demands is ensuring that Hungary won't be compelled to take part in a planned NATO mission to coordinate weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

4:18pm - Putin Honors North Korea's Support:Before his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanks Pyongyang for its backing of Russia's offensive in Ukraine. "We greatly appreciate the fact that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) resolutely supports Russia's military special operation in Ukraine," Putin writes in a guest article published by the state North Korean news agency KCNA and the newspaper "Rodong Sinmun". Meanwhile, South Korea reports a brief border crossing by North Korean soldiers.

4:43pm - ECHR Slams Russia for Archive Access Denial:The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rebukes Russia for denying access to archives to the human rights organization Memorial and other organizations regarding repressions during the Soviet era. "The search for historical truth is a fundamental part of the right to freedom of expression," the Strasbourg Court declares. The refusal constitutes an interference with the right to information and consequently breaches the European Convention on Human Rights.

15:03 Slovakia Backs Rutte for New NATO LeaderSlovakia has indicated it will support Mark Rutte from the Netherlands as the new NATO chief. Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini stated, "After a final chat with Mark Rutte and consultations with our government, Slovakia sees Rutte as a potential NATO leader." However, formal approval from Hungary and Romania is still lacking. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis had disclosed in March his candidacy for the top position. The current NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg plans to step down in October following a 10-year tenure. As the NATO leader is chosen through a collaborative process, backing from all 32 member states is necessary. Several countries have already expressed their support for outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Rutte.

14:26 Swiss Authorities Investigate Alleged Russian DiplomatMedia sources suggest a Russian diplomat assigned to the Swiss embassy is suspected of attempting to procure weapons and dangerous materials. The Federal Prosecutor's Office in Bern has requested authorization from the government to probe the potential political offence. Authorities have already taken preventive measures through searches of residences, according to the authority. The "Tages-Anzeiger" previously reported an investigative focus on a diplomat affiliated with the Russian embassy in Bern. The alleged Russian agent is said to have surfaced shortly before the Ukraine summit in Switzerland, which took place this past weekend without Russian participation. To continue with the investigation, the Federal Prosecutor's Office has also asked for immunity revocation.

13:47 Italy Plans to Send Storm Shadow Missiles to UkraineA report in "Il Fatto Quotidiano" indicates that Italy plans to deliver Storm Shadow cruise missiles as part of the upcoming military aid package to Ukraine. The Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform references this, citing the Italian daily. The Italian Ministry of Defense reportedly plans to present the ninth military aid package to parliament by the end of June. The specific items in the package, however, have not been made public.

13:02 Russian Political Scientist Stole State Secrets and Sentenced in EstoniaThe Russian political scientist Viacheslav Morozov was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison in Estonia for handing over sensitive information to Russian intelligence agencies. This as reported by the Russian-language opposition media Meduza, citing the Estonian public broadcaster. Morozov previously worked at the University in Tartu, Estonia, and shared insights on Estonia's political situation and relations with the EU with the Russian intelligence services.

12:19 NATO Intelligence Community Urges Action Against Modern Hypersonic WeaponsNATO General Christian Badia is advocating for efforts to confront modern hypersonic weapons, stating that defenses and retaliatory capabilities must be developed for effective deterrence. Badia discussed this during a meeting in Berlin. Russia is already deploying these advanced weapons systems against Ukraine. The timeframe may reduce to around 2 minutes, it was discussed at the meeting. Markus Ziegler from the German Aerospace Industries Association said, "Moscow-Berlin: If you move quick, it's 5 minutes from there to here. Even Beijing-Berlin, where Beijing seems infinitely distant, takes about 20 minutes."

11:57 Fire at Russian Fuel Depot Likely Arson by Ukrainian Intelligence ServiceSources within the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service have reportedly disclosed that the nighttime arson attack on a Russian fuel depot in Asow was carried out by them. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry estimates the fire to have scorched approximately 3200 square meters. Over 200 firefighters were dispatched to extinguish the blaze.

11:30 Russian Troops Take Over Village Near Avdiivka According to British IntelligenceBritish assessments suggest Russian troops have taken control of the village of Novooleksandrivka, which lies about 20 kilometers north of Avdiivka, bringing the Russian army closer to the T0504 highway, a significant supply line for Ukraine.

10:48 Putin and Kim Jong Un Plan to Develop Extensive CooperationRussia and North Korea plan to sign a treaty on comprehensive cooperation during Putin's visit to Pyongyang. The treaty, as its name implies, outlines planned extensive cooperation between the two nations. The Kremlin announced that the document was approved by Putin and is expected to be signed during the summit by him and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The contents of the treaty, however, have yet to be released.

10:20 China Rejects Stoltenberg's Criticism of China's Role in Ukraine ConflictThe Chinese government has denied NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's criticism of China's stance on the Ukraine conflict. "We advise NATO to refrain from placing blame on others, to avoid creating discord, and to refrain from adding fuel to the fire," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian. Instead, NATO should take constructive steps to achieve a political resolution of the crisis. Stoltenberg had criticized China's actions concerning Russia's aggression in Ukraine during a visit to Washington. China contends that it occupies a neutral position, yet Stoltenberg argued that China is escalating the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II while maintaining good relations with the West.

09:36 Twelve-Year Imprisonment for Anti-War Symbol Display in RussiaA Moscow military court has sentenced a Ukrainian woman to twelve years in prison for broadcasting an anti-war manifesto and the Ukrainian national anthem from her Moscow apartment window. Ukrainska Pravda reports this based on information from the Russian opposition media outlet Mediazona. The 35-year-old woman also freed white-blue-white balloons, a symbol of protest against Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

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9:00 AM - Russian Navy Conducts Submarine Training ExercisesThe Russian Navy initiates exercises in the Pacific Ocean ahead of Putin's visit to North Korea. Approximately 40 naval vessels and boats, in addition to around 20 planes and helicopters, are taking part in these drills, as per Moscow's Defense Ministry. The exercises are reportedly being held in the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk until June 28. These maneuvers focus on combat against submarines and defense against air attacks.

8:28 AM - Pyongyang Streets Marked with Putin's Portraits and Russian FlagsPutin's visit to North Korea is evident in Pyongyang. The streets are adorned not only with numerous Russian flags but also with Putin's portraits. This can be observed in videos, for instance on the Russian state news agency TASS, and on various social media platforms.

8:01 AM - Munz: Weapons Top Priority at Putin's North Korea VisitRussian President Putin is expected in North Korea today and tomorrow. According to NTV Russia correspondent Rainer Munz, Putin is likely to have weapons in his luggage. Diplomatic support is also crucial, Munz adds.

7:48 AM - Rwanda Withdraws Signature from Peace Summit DeclarationRwanda has withdrawn its signature from the closing statement of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, as reported by Ukrainian media. Rwanda's name is no longer shown on the Swiss government's website in the list of signatories. Currently, 77 states and 5 organizations support the declaration.

7:22 AM - Ukrainian Military Analyst Discusses Problems with Russian Artillery ProductionUkrainian military analyst Petro Chernyk suggests that Russia may be facing a shortage of explosives for artillery shells, according to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Moreover, Russia is rumored to be transitioning from self-propelled to towed artillery systems, which it allegedly struggles to handle. However, Russia cannot produce more self-propelled systems as it only has five to six such machines.

6:54 AM - Ukrainian Air Force Claims Destruction of All Ten Russian DronesThe Ukrainian Air Force claims to have destroyed all ten Russian drones that were launched overnight over the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk. The Air Force announced this via Telegram.

6:28 AM - Russia Confirms Loss of Rare Reconnaissance AircraftRussian authorities have confirmed that the Ukrainian Air Force shot down a rare Russian Early Warning and Control Aircraft of the type A-50 over the Azov Sea in February, resulting in the deaths of ten crew members. The Kyiv Independent reported this. The Ukrainian Military Intelligence and the Ukrainian Air Force had claimed responsibility for the shootdown at the time. The aircraft played a crucial role in detecting air defense systems and missiles, as well as coordinating targets for Russian fighter jets. Russia reportedly has fewer than ten of these aircraft, with an estimated price of around 350 million dollars each.

6:02 AM - Prisons in Asow on Fire after Ukrainian Drone AttackAccording to the governor of the Russian city Asow in the Rostov region near the Ukrainian border, prisons have been set on fire following a Ukrainian drone attack. "No casualties have been reported," the governor of the southern region, Vasili Golubev, announced via Telegram. Investigations are ongoing, and the local fire department is working to extinguish the fires.

5:40 AM - Kremlin Holds Talks with USA over Prisoner Exchange for GershkovichRussia confirms, as per the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, discussions with the USA over a potential prisoner exchange for the detained US reporter Evan Gershkovich. He referred to statements from President Vladimir Putin, who expressed a desire for such contacts early in June. "The negotiations are ongoing, but they should continue in complete silence," Peskov emphasized. "Thus, no announcements, declarations, or information about this matter can be provided." The 32-year-old reporter for the "Wall Street Journal" was arrested in Yekaterinburg, in the Ural region, by the Russian domestic security service FSB on March 29, 2023. He is accused of espionage.

4:50 AM - Detained US Soldier Partially Admits GuiltThe US soldier Gordon Black, who is imprisoned in Russia for suspected theft, has partially confessed to the crime. According to the Russian news agency Interfax, he made the statement in court in Vladivostok. He acknowledged being "partially responsible" for the theft but did not act intentionally. He also denied threatening to kill his girlfriend. Several other US citizens are already imprisoned in Russia, including the journalist Evan Gershkovich and the former soldier Paul Whelan, both accused of espionage.

3:50 AM - German Agency Fines Pipeline Operator for Incorrect Nord Stream 2 DataThe German Federal Network Agency has imposed a fine of 75,000 Euros on the pipeline operator Gascade for publishing incorrect data regarding the controversial German-Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 in 2021 due to IT issues, which suggested that the pipeline's commissioning was imminent. The agency in Bonn reports that Gascade published erroneous data, leading to the market assuming that the pipeline's inauguration was imminent, causing significantly lower prices.

2:58 AM - Putin Praises North Korea's Military Support in UkraineAhead of his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Pyongyang for its military support in Ukraine in an article published by the state North Korean news agency KCNA. Putin stated that Russia highly values the fact that North Korea has resolutely supported Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Moreover, both countries are working to "actively develop their multifaceted partnership."

01:57 Intense Ukrainian Attacks in Kharkiv, Reported by Russia - In the northeastern region of Ukraine, Kharkiv, as per Russian reports, has witnessed aggressive military engagements. Vitali Ganchev, the Russian-appointed governor of the Moscow-controlled territories in the Kharkiv region, comments, "The adversary is mobilizing reinforcements and attempting a counter-attack, but is dealt with heavy resistance from our troops." According to Russian troops, they've successfully thwarted the latest Ukrainian counter-attack near Vovchansk, located just five kilometers from the border. Russian forces had managed to gain control of around a dozen villages in the Kharkiv region approximately a month ago, as stated by official announcements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy maintains that the Ukrainian forces will eventually push out the Russian troops from the contested area.

00:55 DIW President: Slashing Social Benefits for Ukrainians Labeled as Populism - Marcel Fratzscher, an economist, disapproves of the calls for reducing social benefits for Ukrainian refugees as "empty populism." Expressing his thoughts to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), Fratzscher, the President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), says, "No one will benefit financially, not even an extra Euro, if Germany mistreats refugees and cuts their benefits." Stressing the importance of integration, Fratzscher proposes, "The German state should allocate more resources towards a quicker and more effective integration of refugees into the workforce and society."

23:55 Majority of Ukrainians Support Zelenskyy as Legitimate President - A significant proportion of Ukrainians (70%) believe that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite extended terms during wartime, remains the legitimate president, according to a survey conducted by the International Sociological Institute in Kiev. A mere 22% are against Zelenskyy retaining his position. This belief contradicts Moscow's view that Zelenskyy's term has expired, making him no longer the rightful president of Ukraine.

22:55 European Parliament Warns About Finland's Deportation Policies - The European Parliament voices concerns over Finland's plans to deport migrants from Russia, who, as per Helsinki's statements, have been intentionally sent across the common border by Moscow. The Human Rights Commissioner of the European Parliament, Michael O'Flaherty, has urged Finland's Parliamentary Speaker Jussi Halla-aho to reject the draft law. The current Finnish Center-Right Government intends to make significant changes to immigration law, including allowing border guards to return refugees.

23:15 Peskov: "Zero-draft" Peace Conference Results Achieve Nothing - The Kremlin continues to express dissatisfaction with the results of the Swiss Peace Conference for Ukraine in Moscow. Dmitri Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, asserts, "When one speaks of the results of this meeting, they undoubtedly strive for nothing." The fact that Russia-friendly countries such as Serbia, Turkey, or Hungary supported the final declaration doesn't concern Moscow, Peskov clarifies, adding, "We will definitely consider the stance of these countries. That is crucial for us. We will continue to convey our position to them." The Foreign Ministry in Moscow has labeled the conference a "total failure," as indicated by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement to the Tass news agency.

Read about previous developments here.