Ukraine: 103 Russian assaults on villages since yesterday.
Ukrainian military reveals 103 Russian attacks on settlements and 93 on infrastructure in the last day. The attacks were reported in ten regions, resulting in at least three deaths and damages to houses and a school in Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium.
Female representation in the Ukrainian army is witnessing a significant surge. With over 67,000 active women, 40% of them joined the army following the mobilization post-Russia's full-scale attack. These women are now trained to operate heavier weapons, drones, and shoot. The government is also working on providing more career opportunities for these women.
The Ukrainian government plans to maintain a state registry for regions with explosive-contaminated or mined areas. This is vital to monitor the demining status in real-time, especially for farmers to determine whether their land is still hazardous. Security expert Gustav Gressel warns that areas of 300 square kilometers in the war zone may still have unrecovered mines.
A survey reveals that a majority of Germans, around 60%, support a return to conscription. This would help to bolster the Bundeswehr force and meet the demand for more significant reinforcements.
The Intelligence Service reports Ukraine's first successful hit on Russia's most modern fighter jet - the Su-57. The aircraft, stationed at the airfield in the Astrakhan region of Russia, was severely damaged after an attack on May 19.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) states that Russia's recruitment of 30,000 soldiers per month would not be enough for a large summer offensive on multiple fronts. The newly recruited soldiers will serve as reinforcements but won't be suitable for first or second line forces.
The United Nations documented 174 civilian deaths and 690 injuries in Ukraine in May. The highest casualty count in a year was contributed largely by Russian troops' relentless attacks in the Kharkiv region.
Russia aims to train officers in the currently occupied territories of Ukraine. The Ukrainian special forces reported that Russia is offering courses to potential candidates with a promise of lucrative positions in return. The scope of these training programs would focus on electronic warfare and radar jamming.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 1,270 casualties on the Russian side in the recent 24 hours, with a total tally surpassing 518,000 since the beginning of the invasion. 26 Russian tanks, 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery systems, and two air defense systems were destroyed. The Ukrainians also pointed out 37 destroyed Russian drones.
Ukrainian forces seem to be containing Russian expansion in the north. Recent advancements in the northeastern border of Ukraine have raised concerns of a possible offensive. However, Ukrainians now appear to be pushing back the Russian advances around the town of Vovchansk.
NATO is considering setting up a permanent mission in Kiev. This would enhance Ukraine's chances of securing more reliable aid and assistance.
01:11 - Ukrainian military reports 103 Russian attacks on settlements and 93 on infrastructure since yesterday. In ten regions, at least three people were killed, and damages were reported in Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium.01:42 - More than 67,000 women currently serve in the Ukrainian army, most of them as soldiers. With a significant increase following the 2022 Russian invasion, female soldiers are now willing to shoot, operate artillery systems, or operate drones.02:17 - Ukrainian Government plans to create a state registry for mine-infested and mined areas. Monitoring the demining status of areas in real-time will be crucial, especially for farmers.02:42 - A recent survey shows that 60% of Germans want to reinstate conscription. Completely or rather, two-thirds of Germans are in favor of a general conscription.03:14 - Ukraine Manages First Successful Hit on Russia's Most Modern Fighter Jet - The Su-57. Over the weekend, Ukrainian military intelligence service reported a successful hit on Russia's most advanced fighter jet at Astrakhan Airfield, Russia.03:47 - The Institute for the Study of War: Russia's Soldiers are Insufficient for Major Summer Offensive. Russia is mobilizing about 30,000 soldiers each month, ostensibly to form reinforcements in the conflict zone. Still, this is not enough for large-scale offensive operations across multiple fronts.04:55 - UN: At least 174 Ukrainian civilians been killed in May. A United Nations mission in Ukraine discovered that at least 174 civilians were killed and 690 injured in the recent month. Rhia Kiebel, a spokesperson, explains that intense conflicts in the Kharkiv region were responsible for the higher involvement of civilians.05:24 - Russia Plans to Train Officers in Occupied Ukrainian Territories. Ukrainian Special forces report that Russia is currently offering courses to train potential officers in occupied areas.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is thinking about setting up a permanent envoy in Kiev. This influential civilian representative would coordinate NATO's support for Ukraine, which includes military assistance from Western nations. This role would resemble NATO's function during its 20-year stay in Afghanistan. The reasoning behind establishing a representative: At the NATO summit in July in Washington, it's unlikely that countries will consent to allowing Ukraine to participate in membership negotiations. Therefore, the alliance is now considering measures below such a commitment that would nonetheless make them more visible in Kiev and tighten their support.
06:55 Ukraine plans to enter into more direct agreements with arms manufacturers
The Ukrainian government is reportedly starting a new strategy in terms of collaboration with weapons manufacturers. The objective is to establish direct contracts between Ukraine and the arms industry. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov signed such a contract with a Bulgarian company over the weekend, according to the news portal "Ukrinform." "This allows us to secure modern weapons directly from the manufacturer and contributes to a faster and more effective modernization of the Ukrainian army," Klimenkov explained.
06:19 Austrian Defense Minister: Germany has "crossed the red line"
Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner remarked in an interview with "Die Presse" that Germany, France, and the United States have "crossed the red line" by permitting Kiev to deploy Western weapons on Russian-held territory. She expressed satisfaction that NATO, according to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, will not send troops to Ukraine. Tanner abstained from commenting on the necessity for Ukraine to defend itself against shelling from the Russian border. "As a militarily neutral state, it is not our place to judge."
05:38 Bundeswehr: Strengthen the Reserves
The German Ministry of Defense is planning to substantially increase the reserve of the Bundeswehr. This force should also, like during the Cold War, be trained and equipped to reinforce or replace the active troops in battle, according to General Lieutenant Alexander Hoppe, Deputy General Inspector and Reservist Affairs Officer, in Berlin. The objective of the military planners is to have around 60,000 people as reservists in a basic order who are trained and prepared for a specific task.
04:37 German Government: Opposed to Macron's idea of sending European soldiers to train in Ukraine
Due to security concerns, the German government rejects French President Emmanuel Macron's plans to send European soldiers to Ukraine in the future to train Ukrainian troops. "The training in the EU provides security, but the risk of training facilities in Ukraine being attacked makes the training inefficient," according to an internal EU document the "Welt am Sonntag" has gained access to, quoting the newspaper. The German government expressed serious security concerns at the meeting of European defense ministers on May 28.
03:20 Ukrainian Army: Russians attempt to break through
The Ukrainian General Staff documented 76 instances of combat throughout the past 24 hours. The most tense situation is at the Pokrovsk Front, where 27 Russian attacks were recorded. The Ukrainian army command in Kiev claims that the Russians are trying to break through from Otscheretyne to Evheniwka and Nowooleksandriwka.
01:42 Coffin Graffiti in Paris: Three Moldovans in Pre-Trial Detention
Following the emergence of soldier's coffin graffiti in Paris, three suspects from Moldova are in pre-trial detention. The prosecutor's office spokesperson mentioned that "foreign influence" couldn't be ruled out. Coffins labeled "French soldiers in Ukraine" appeared on house facades in the French capital on Friday. On Saturday night, three Moldovans were detained near the Eiffel Tower, who had paint cans and stencils with them. Just a few days ago, coffins with the inscription "French soldiers in Ukraine" were placed at the Eiffel Tower. Three suspects were arrested, including a German.
00:39 UN: 174 civilian casualties in Ukraine in May
The United Nations stated in a statement that May was the month with the greatest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine since June 2023, with at least 174 killed. Ukraine has repeatedly claimed that Russia intentionally bombs residential areas near the front lines to compel evacuations. Moscow denies targeting civilians.
23:24 Assault on ambulance reported: Drone launches explosives
The driver of an ambulance was injured, according to Ukrainian reports, when Russian forces dropped explosives from a drone onto the ambulance. The attack occurred in the community of Biloserka in the south of the country, as per the governor of the Oblast of Kherson.
22:23 Prosecutor General: Over 90% of Ukrainian prisoners of war suffered torture
Torturing prisoners of war or civilians is pervasive in the Russian military, claims Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin. He believes that up to 90% of the returning Ukrainian prisoners of war experienced various types of torture, inhumane treatment, physical abuse, including sexual, and psychological violence. This information was shared by the news outlet "Euromaidan Press."
President Zelenskyy of Ukraine sees the Russian troops' advance in the Kharkiv region as unsuccessful. In his daily speech, he updated the citizens on the current situation on the battlefield. He noted that they'd spoken to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. One highlight of the conversation was that the Russian soldiers didn't launch their operation in Kharkiv. Zelenskyy expressed, "We're doing our best to hold back the Russians and eliminate their units trying to enter our country and create chaos in Kharkiv." He revealed that the situation in Kharkiv is already tensed and should escalate further. The Donetsk region, Zelenskyy considers, is the most challenging.
Read also:
- The Russian government has denounced the Ukrainian military's claims of successfully attacking a Su-57 fighter jet in Russia, suggesting it was a fake or exaggerated incident.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has accused Russia of launching cyberattacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, including power plants and financial institutions, as part of their ongoing conflict.
- The NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, has reiterated NATO's commitment to supporting Ukraine, stating that while they won't send troops to Ukraine, they will provide assistance and train Ukrainian forces.
- In response to Russia's continued attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, calls for even stricter sanctions against Russia are growing among NATO members, including a potential oil embargo against Russia.
