Ukraine employs American arms in an attack against Russian land.
A Western government official claims that Ukraine utilized armaments furnished by the United States for strikes within Russia, aligning with the fresh guidelines endorsed by President Joe Biden, as revealed by the Associated Press.
18:00: Russian blogger sentenced to more than five years in penitentiary for Butscha testimony
A court in Moscow has condemned Russian blogger Anna Baschutowa to five and a half years in jail for sharing witness accounts regarding the Russia-linked massacre in Ukraine's Butscha on the streaming platform Twitch. The court convicted the blogger of propagating "invented" details regarding Russia's mistreatment in Ukraine. During the trial, the 30-year-old defendant branded the verdict "grotesque and repulsive," as cited by AFP. "This is a heavy sentence. We will appeal," declared Baschutowa's attorney, Andrej Newrew. Baschutowa had broadcast witness declarations from Butscha citizens on Twitch in July 2023, implicating the Russian military in atrocities. "Patriotic" Russian bloggers supporting Russia's military operation in Ukraine subsequently targeted her. Two months after these hostilities, the authorities visited Baschutowa's home and seized the video materials. Her Twitch channel was also blocked.
17:30: Zelenskyy consults with Qatari Emir for discussions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ventured to Qatar to engage in talks with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. Through a post on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy shared his intention of exploring Qatar's mediation in the retrieval of captured Ukrainian children from Russia. Other subjects entailed bilateral economic concerns and the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland, where Qatar will attend, held on June 15-16.
17:04: Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 barred from leaving Ukraine upon return
Ukrainian men who remain outside the country but are of army age must anticipate serving in the army and not leaving Ukraine following visits. Ukrainian citizens who left their nation more than three months ago cannot be exempted from mandatory military service and are mandated to enlist in the military within 30 days, as stated by the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Border Guard, Andrij Demtschenko. The legislation came into effect on June 1st.
16:50: Ukraine evacuates children from Solotschiw border region
Ukrainian officials are endeavoring to transfer all children from the Solotschiw region. This was disclosed by Viktor Kovalenko, the head of the military administration in Solotschiw, during an interview with "The Kyiv Independent" and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The region encompasses Kharkiv's contested area and is situated just a few kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border.
16:12: Georgsband imposed with three and a half years of imprisonment
A Russian court has incarcerated a 60-year-old individual with dual Russian and American citizenship for three and a half years for disparaging the memory of the Soviet army during World War II. He must serve his sentence in a penal colony and faces a ban from using the internet and other communication platforms for one and a half years, per the court's press release on Telegram. The charges against the defendant involved two spicy posts on the Russian social network Odnoklassniki. In these statements, he allegedly disrespected the orange-black St. George's Ribbon, the Russian symbol signifying the Soviet army's triumph against Nazi Germany, in a vile manner. He conceded guilt. The court asserted that the individual resides in Brooklyn, New York, and performs security work at a sports center. He was detained during a visit to Russia in December 2023.
15:46: Pistorius aims to fortify the Bundeswehr by 2029
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius aspires to enhance the Bundeswehr's readiness in the face of Russian aggression. "We must be combat-ready by 2029," he proclaimed during a Bundestag hearing. "We must deter, to avoid the worst from occurring." The key elements transcend finance, materials, and individuals. "In an emergency, we need fit, youthful women and men who can defend this country," says Pistorius. Therefore, he contemplates a "new style of conscription," which "cannot be entirely divorced from obligations." In Germany, conscription had been suspended in 2011. The long-anticipated proposals from Pistorius for a potential reestablishment of conscription are imminently forthcoming.
15:17: Poland creates panel to probe Russian-Belarusian espionage
In Poland, a novel commission to inspect the potential infiltration of Russian and Belarusian intelligence agencies in the past 20 years is now operational. Twelve specialists in security-related matters will be part of the team, as announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The committee will be monitored by General Jaroslaw Strozyk, the head of military counterintelligence. No politicians are encompassed in the group. Russia considers Poland an adversary due to its role as a leading supporter of Ukraine's military operations and a logistics hub for military assistance from the West to Kiev. Similar to other EU nations, Poland dreads sabotage acts on behalf of Russian intelligence.
2:50 PM Ukraine: One Person Dead, Five Injured After Russian Attacks on Donetsk
Ukrainian authorities report one fatality and five injuries due to Russian assaults in the eastern part of the country. Vadim Filaschkin, governor of the region, mentioned on Telegram that attacks during the morning hours in Donetsk resulted in these casualties. These attacks aimed at civilians in Torezk. Additionally, one person sustained injuries in an airstrike on Selydowe near the front line, according to Filaschkin. President Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces are currently focusing their attacks on the Donetsk region. However, the Kremlin recognized Donetsk and three other Ukrainian regions last fall, but does not have full control over them.
2:22 PM Refusal of Germany to Deploy Soldiers in Ukraine by Pistorius
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius rejects the idea of deploying German troops in Ukraine. He made this clear during a government hearing in the German Bundestag. When questioned by AfD MP Rüdiger Lucassen about whether the German government had considered this possibility in the European Union and France and whether they were planning to send German soldiers to Ukraine, Pistorius answered, "No and no."
1:53 PM Possibility of Ukraine Facing Prolonged Power Outages This Winter
Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants may have grave consequences over the next few months. An anonymous Ukrainian government official shared with the Financial Times that Ukrainians might experience power outages for most of the day during winter. Another official revealed that the damages from the recent attacks on energy facilities on Saturday were "catastrophic." These attacks led to a loss of 1.2 gigawatts of power generation. Critical infrastructure responsible for gas transportation from underground storage facilities in western Ukraine was significantly damaged, one of the officials stated. The Financial Times indicates that power generation capacity in Ukraine has reduced by more than half since the start of the war, from about 55 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts.
1:14 PM Girl Died After Ukrainian Artillery Fire in Russian-Occupied Village
Eleven people were injured in a southern Ukrainian village after coming under Ukrainian artillery fire, as per the Russian-controlled administration. Yevgeny Balitsky, head of the Russian-appointed administration for the Saporischschja region, shared this news on Telegram. He noted that a five-year-old girl lost her life due to her injuries. Independent confirmation on the incident is missing. Novoslatopil was shelled at around 9:00 pm on Tuesday. As per map references of the front lines, the village is approximately three kilometers behind the front line.
12:25 PM Swiss Fighter Jets Land at 260 km/h on Motorway
Spontaneous landing of Swiss fighter jets on a motorway at a speed of 260 km/h took place on Monday. The Swiss Air Force acknowledged the incident. Their planes were part of a training exercise, and were forced to land due to a technical issue. No casualties resulted from the accident. The Swiss Air Force added that the jets landed safely and were later towed away. The cause of the technical problem is being investigated.
12:00 PM Swiss Fighter Jets Practice Ground Landings on Motorway
Swiss F/A-18 fighter jet pilots practiced starting and landing on an autobahn in Payerne. The Air Force's deputy commander, Brigadier Christian Oppliger, claimed that the pilots landed flawlessly at 260 kilometers per hour. The Swiss military last conducted this type of exercise in 1991. Oppliger emphasized that the threat landscape has changed significantly and the Air Force should be prepared for any eventuality: "The military must now not only provide defense but also counteract enemy ground-air systems." The objective of the training was to demonstrate readiness to act swiftly in reaction to a potential first strike on military airfields elsewhere.
11:45 AM Ukraine Welcomes Harris' Participation in Switzerland Peace Conference
The Ukraine government is delighted with Vice President Kamala Harris's involvement in the Swiss peace conference. The Ukrainian administration considers her presence at the event on June 15 and 16 to be an "important signal." Initially, Ukraine had hoped for President Biden's attendance, but he will meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in France instead. They will meet as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Allied landing in Normandy. The next conference is slated for the G7 summit in Italy the following week.
11:20 Scholz pushes for more Eurofighter orders - "future of defense production" on the lineChancellor Olaf Scholz emphasizes the importance of a robust aerospace industry in Germany and Europe, stating that the German government is keen on placing more Eurofighter orders within the current legislative period, on top of the 38 aircraft still pending. He addresses the defense industry, expressing his commitment to "reliable orders" amid a necessary "defense industrial turnaround." Scholz also mentions exploring export opportunities for the Eurofighter.
10:49 Munz updates on peace conference - Ukraine faces resistance from RussiaWhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks international support for a peace conference in Switzerland, Russia attempts to prevent as many countries as possible from attending. As the number of countries planning to participate has significantly declined from the initial 141 UN members who condemned Russia's attack, ntv reporter Rainer Munz shares this concerning trend.
10:05 Speculation grows over Putin's increased security measuresAs per a recent report from the "Moscow Times," Russia has allegedly steps up security measures around Vladimir Putin. Two insiders confirmed the strictness of the security measures, adding that Putin has been spotted wearing a bulletproof vest since 2023 while attending public appearances. The tightened security measures are attributed to several risk factors, including the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Putin, intimidation from Ukrainian drone attacks and sabotage, and the potential threat from Islamic extremism.
09:37 Nikopol under heavy artillery fireThe eastern Ukrainian city of Nikopol has been subjected to artillery bombardment by the Russian army. The Dnipropetrovsk region governor reports that six houses and a power line were damaged during these attacks, though no casualties have been recorded. Four drones were shot down by Ukrainian defenses.
08:54 Storks on airstrike patrol in Russian airspaceThe 71st Fighter Brigade monitors increasingly inactive Russian activities with their "Storks," which are tasked with casting an eye on Russian targets beyond front lines. The unit notes a relaxing of hostile movements, but they are now faced with increased challenges to counteract Ukrainian drones entering deeper into Russian territory.
08:26 First post-war Putin interview with Western media set for St. Petersburg forumVladimir Putin is due to meet with international press for the first time since the commencement of Russia's conflict with Ukraine. The media event will be held during the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, starting September 14-17.
07:58 Portentous situation at the eastern front in UkraineThe Ukrainian army details heavy shelling in the Donetsk region, with 37 attacks reported overnight in a clash near Otscheretyne. The Russian forces had been attempting to make headway on several fronts in the region, which is located between Donetsk and Pokrovsk.
07:32 Another night of Russian drone bombardment on UkraineUkraine weathered a fresh wave of drone strikes overnight, with Ukrainian defenses successfully downing 22 out of 27 drones. Regions targeted included the south, northeast, and central Ukraine, while one person was injured in an incident at an industrial facility in Poltava, according to regional governor Filip Pronin.
06:55 US embassy informs dual nationals of potentially being trapped indefinitelyThe US Embassy in Ukraine warns male American citizens holding Ukrainian citizenship against traveling to Ukraine, as Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 may be prevented from leaving the country indefinitely. The embassy adds that a previous exception to this rule has expired in June.
06:14 Ukraine mobilizing drone operators for military ranksThe Ukrainian Defense Ministry has initiated a project aimed at recruiting drone operators into the military. Open to any individual aged 18 and above, participants must first complete an online course, follow drone-operating training, and pledge to join the military.
5:42 NATO Chief Slams China for Skipping Ukraine Peace Meet
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg criticized China for snubbing the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland, saying it was unfortunate that China didn't participate. He told the NDR Info podcast "Streitkräfte und Strategien" that China's lack of condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine showed its inability to denounce this blatant infringement of international law. China didn't just fail to denounce the invasion; President Xi Jinping and Kremlin head Vladimir Putin even signed a pact promising each other an unlimited partnership, Stoltenberg observed. China has been helping Russia's war effort by selling advanced technology, microelectronics, microchips, and more.
3:39 Biden to Hold Double Talks with Zelenskyy
US President Biden will hold two crucial talks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the coming days, the White House confirmed. National Security Advisor of the United States, Jake Sullivan, made the announcement. Biden will join in celebrations commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in France, and Zelenskyy is also due to be in France. The upcoming week will see the G7 summit in Italy.
2:42 Russian "Filtering Camps" Set Up in Vovchansk, Ukrainian Authorities Warn
Russian invaders have reportedly set up "filtering camps" in the contested city of Vovchansk, Ukrainian authorities warned. Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, told the "Kyiv Independent" on state TV that these "filtering camps" are used by Russia to identify and document Ukrainians in occupied territories. These camps have previously been linked to torture, sexual violence, and deportations. Most of the remaining people in the Russian-occupied parts of Vovchansk are being used as human shields, Syniehubov claimed.
0:44 Ex-Head of Ukraine's Weapons Procurement Faces Corruption Accusations
The former head of Ukraine's weapons procurement is facing corruption charges in court. He's accused of agreeing to exorbitantly high prices for aircraft parts, the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Kyiv said. This case dates back to 2016 and isn't connected to the current conflict between Ukraine's army and Russia's assault. The man allegedly arranged for the purchase of aircraft parts at prices that were seven times higher than market value, the bureau added. His business accomplice is already on trial.
23:26 Police Crack Down on Navalny Supporters Marking His Birthday
In Moscow, police are cracking down on supporters of the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who gathered for a small memorial event on his birthday. A special unit of police stormed a room where several dozen people had gathered to watch a live broadcast of a Navalny memorial concert in Berlin, according to Ovd-Info, a human rights organization. Around 30 people were temporarily detained, searched, and questioned. Video footage shared by the media outlet "Sota" showed several masked officers approaching. Navalny would have turned 48 that day.
22:56 More Than 600 Child Casualties Since War Started
On this day, Ukraine addressed the children killed during the war. Over 600 children have been killed since the war began in February 2022, and more than 1,400 others injured, according to UN representative Denise Brown. The UN only has official records for confirmed cases. The actual number of children killed might be significantly higher. "Let's help protect our children," said President's wife Olena Zelenska at a memorial event in Kiev. Ukraine needs more weapons, she added, stressing that children's lives were worth more than "the cost of air defense."
At 21:11, horrifying images of Ukrainian POWs, reminiscent of concentration camp inmates, shared online
Social media has been flooded with images of Roman Horilyk, a Ukrainian National Guard soldier. The emaciated photographs of Horilyk are causing a stir, with journalist Illia Ponomarenko sharing them. Horilyk was captured at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and spent more than two years in Russian captivity. "The story repeats itself and screams that its lessons must be learned," wrote Ponomarenko. Many viewers have likened Horilyk's appearance to that of prisoners from German concentration camps.
Recently, an assault on a Russian S-300/400 air defense system has sparked much concern. The system's significance plays a role in the anxiety, but the attack occurring on Russian soil exacerbates the situation further. Moscow denies the occurrence of any such incident, yet a multitude of videos and photos indicate successful strikes - even satellite images published by Radio Liberty reveal burnt launch pads and a damaged control center of the S-300/400 system. This attack is rumored to be carried out using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher from the USA. As of late, Washington has given Ukraine permission to target objectives on Russian land for the protection of Kharkiv.
At 20:33, "Within the next few weeks, the summer and the whole year may be decided"
Zelensky, Ukrainian President, deems this period a crucial one for the nation. He declares in his evening address, "It's still only early June, yet the following weeks hold great significance for the entire summer and, in numerous respects, the entire year." The peace summit in Switzerland, international support for Ukraine, relations with the EU, and the state of affairs on the frontlines, as well as industrial production in the country, are all matters he addresses.
At 20:06, Before the European elections: Germany is the primary target of Russian misinformation
Prior to the European elections, Brussels reports incidents of Russian misinformation in Germany, France, and Poland. These countries have frequently been the focus of Russian efforts, as expressed by EU Vice Commissioner Vera Jourova in Brussels. In Germany, information is primarily manipulated concerning "issues of immigration and security," as she reveals. Jourova showcased an assessment provided by the European Online Media Observatory (EDMO). Russian misinformation campaigns generally concentrate on themes tied to the war against Ukraine. Combined, these three nations possess almost 145 million eligible voters, which equates to roughly 40% of the EU's total voters.
Read also:
- The 'Cyberwar' between Ukraine and Russia continues to intensify, with reports of Ukrainian cyber attacks against Russian infrastructure.
- Amidst the 'Ukraine conflict', NATO is considering increasing its military presence in Eastern Europe to deter potential Russian aggression, a decision heavily influenced by the 'Attack on Ukraine'.
- In response to the 'Military operations' in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Selenskyy has urged Western allies for more military aid and support to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.
- Russia's continued interference in the 'Ukraine conflict' has led to Nato and several Western nations imposing sanctions, restricting Russian military exports and technological support.
