Ukraine potentially strikes a second Russian super jet.
In a Ukrainian assault on the Russian airbase Achtubinsk in Southern Russia, there's a likelihood of another modern combat aircraft sustaining damage, according to a spokesperson from the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR) during a televised broadcast. Developing reports indicated that two Sukhoi Su-57 aircraft might have been hit simultaneously, but further investigation is needed. The Su-57, a state-of-the-art fighter jet, has been in service with the Russian Air Force since late 2020.
18:44 Kharkiv: Russian army bombards residential area: The city of Kharkiv is under attack by the Russian military again. A guided bomb struck a residential area, reports Governor Oleg Sinegubov. However, the exact number of casualties is yet unknown. Mayor Igor Terekhov confirmed multiple damaged buildings.
18:17 Biden's Security Advisor: Russian advance on Kharkiv has paused: National Security Advisor to US President Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, stated in an interview with CBS that the Russian military offensive in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv seems to have slowed down. "The operation in Kharkiv has lost momentum," Sullivan commented. "Kharkiv remains in danger, but the Russians haven't made significant progress in this area for the past few days." Earlier, Biden revoked restrictions barring Ukraine from using weapons supplied by the US on Russian territory. This prompted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to allow the deployment of German weapons against targets in the Russian border area.
17:47 Russian troops reportedly shifted from Kherson to Kharkiv: According to reports, Russia has moved a select number of troops from the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson to the northern region of Kharkiv. It's unclear whether these forces will be engaged in combat immediately or serve as reinforcements for the military group Sever (North). The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) cites both a Chechen commander and Ukrainian sources.
17:24 Russian forces allegedly force African migrants to join Kharkiv offensive: Russia is said to have compelled thousands of African migrants to fight alongside their troops in the offensive on Kharkiv. Russian officials reportedly threatened African students and workers with unextendable visas as motivation to join the fighting, according to a Bloomberg report, citing European diplomats. Some escaped the conscription by paying off the Russian officials.
16:40 Biden and Macron agree on handling Russian assets: US President Joe Biden claims to have reached an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron on how to manage frozen Russian assets. Both mentioned their intent to use the proceeds for supporting Ukraine, but details are unknown.
16:23 Reports of an explosion in the Belgorod region, Russia: Residents have shared videos of an explosion on Telegram, allegedly occurring in the Belgorod region. The Russian-language Telegram channel Astra confirmed the incident, with the governor of the region issuing warnings of rocket threats prior to the incident. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that several Ukrainian drones had been eliminated over the Belgorod region.
15:44 Gathering of Russian troops at Chassiv Yar's outskirts: Russian forces appear to be assembling on the outskirts of Chassiv Yar in eastern Ukraine, reveals a military source cited by the Ukrainian news portal "Ukrajinska Prawda." For several days, the Russians have reportedly been attempting to rally their troops in houses. The source disclosed that northern Kharkiv had witnessed more than 1500 bombardments, destroyed by multiple rocket launchers and guided aerial bombs to secure supply lines along a road from Bachmut to Chassiv Yar, while the city center remains under the Ukrainians' control.
14:57 Pilots seen through Russian drone lens: The Ukrainian Army shared a video on Telegram of two pilots aboard the Yak-52 aircraft models, a type used for air defense. The plane's open cockpit allows clear visibility of the pilots, who were reportedly targeted by a Russian surveillance drone. The co-pilot managed to shoot down the drone, according to the military portal "Militarnyi" and further confirmed by the "Kyiv Post."
13:58 HUR claims responsibility for Sukhoi Su-57 drone attack: The Ukrainian intelligence service (HUR) took credit for the drone attack on a modern Russian fighter jet, spotted 600 km from the border in southern Russia. An unnamed HUR source told the agency the attack was completed with a Ukrainian-built drone. The HUR is renowned for its audacious operations on Russian territory and in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
Russia intends to combine the seized territories in four southern regions and Crimea into a federal district named "Novorossiya." This news is shared by the Luhansk region's military administration head, Artem Lysohor, on Telegram. Locals are not given the option to choose a name, as the name "Novorossiya" is the only option discussed, he writes, clarifying that such territories don't hold any legal standing. Following the holidays, students will learn about local history based on Russian textbooks.
12:15 Ukrainian Army: Approval to Assault Russian Territory "Significantly Affected" Hostilities
A Ukrainian brigade commander reveals that the authorization to use Western weapons against Russia has "significantly impacted" the combat dynamic. This was communicated by Yuriy Fedorenko in an interview with Radio NV. "We've been able to disable critical items such as electronic eavesdropping, electronic warfare, air defenses and, most notably, the S-300 and S-400 systems that have consistently assaulted Kharkiv." This step from Western countries was identified as "Phase One." Deepening the penetration into Russian territory would mark "Phase Two."
12:04 Ukraine: 103 Russian Assaults on Communities, 93 on Infrastructure Within a Day
The Ukrainian military reported 103 Russian attacks on residential areas and 93 on infrastructure within a day. As per the data, the Russian forces targeted ten regions. In the regions of Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium, at least three individuals were killed, as well as houses and a school.
11:38 Rise in Women's Participation in the Ukrainian Military
Over 67,000 women are currently serving in the Ukrainian military, with the majority acting as soldiers. Although women were not a target during the mobilization in response to Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, the number of female army members has increased by 40%. Contrasting historical patterns, many of these women are now willing to shoot, amend artillery systems, and operate drones. The authorities deem it necessary to provide professional advancements for women.
10:54 Ukraine: Lists of Mining-Ridden Areas and Areas with Mines to be Kept by the Government
The Ukrainian government is planning to create a national registry for areas polluted by mines and mines. The aim is to have a real-time check on the demining development status. This is particularly crucial for farmers' knowledge regarding the clearance of their lands. Even after the cessation of hostilities, the battle zone remains hazardous. "We have North Korean shells from the 50s with a dud rate exceeding 30%," states security expert Gustav Gressel. "Ukraine's post-war situation will involve hundreds of square kilometers of mine fields."
10:10 Germany: Overwhelming Majority Wants Red Army Conscription
A sizable majority of Germans endorse the return to a conscript army. 60% of respondents surveyed by YouGov at the request of Welt am Sonntag approve of the reinstatement of a general draft system, with 28% advocating for its fullest reintroduction and 32% expressing moderate support. Thirty-two percent, however, oppose it, with 18% expressing contempt and 14% disapproving thoroughly. The Nazi conscription was suspended in 2011. Discussions on how to significantly enhance the Bundeswehr took place in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
10:00 ISW: Inadequate Russian Troop Reinforcements for Massive Summer Offensive
Russia recruits 30,000 soldiers each month, some of whom are deployed as reinforcements to the front. According to the U.S. Institute for the Study of War's analysis, this reinforcement will be insufficient to carry out large-scale offensive operations across multiple fronts in the summer. The fresh reserves will not be capable of operating as front-line or second-line forces required in a major offensive.
09:00 UN: At Least 174 Civilians killed in Ukraine in May
At least 174 civilians died and 690 were injured in Ukraine in May. This is the highest monthly number of civilian casualties in a year, states the UN mission in Ukraine. The UN attributes the increase in civilian deaths to the intensified Russian forces' attacks in the Kharkiv region. Nearly two-thirds of the casualties hail from this region of the country.
08:09 Ukraine: Russians Prepare to Train Officers in Annexed Territories
Russia intends to educate officers in the seized territories. This information is revealed by the head of the regional military administration of Luhansk, Artem Lysohor, via Telegram. "The locals are not given the option to choose a name, as there is only one option - Novorossiya," he notes. He also highlights that such territories don't hold any legal status. Following the holidays, children will learn about local history based on a Russian textbook.
Russia intends to conduct training programs for military officers in the presently occupied zones of Ukraine. This information was shared by the Kyiv Post and based on a report submitted by the Ukrainian Special Forces. These trained officers will be granted "favorable positions within the scope of a contract." The sessions are reported to be particularly focused on electronic warfare, which entails handling radar or also disruption gadgets. The Russian army presently employs disruption devices to such an extent that Western precision munitions often fail to hit their target.
08:19 Ukrainian General Staff Reports: 1270 Russian Casualties Over the Past Day
The Ukrainian General Staff has documented 1270 dead or injured Russian soldiers in the past 24 hours. The overall casualties suffered by the Russians since the onset of the complete-scale invasion, according to the Ukrainians, now exceed 518,000. In addition to these figures, 26 Russian tanks, 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery units, and two air defense units were destroyed throughout this period. The number of downed drones is stated to be 37.
07:40 Ukrainians Repel Russian Pushes in the North
Russia has been assembling troops on the northern border of Ukraine for some months now. The city of Vovchansk near Kharkiv has been subjected to relentless artillery barrages for weeks, and experts had predicted a major attack in the region. Nonetheless, it appears that the Ukrainians are now successfully halting the Russian advance northward.
07:27 NATO Moves to Place Permanent Representative in Kyiv, Offer More Predictable Assistance
NATO is considering the establishment of a position for a permanent representative in Kyiv. This high-ranking civilian representative will oversee NATO's support for Ukraine, including military aid from Western nations. This initiative coincides with the future likelihood of NATO members refusing to initiate talks on Ukraine's membership. To make a tangible contribution with less commitment, NATO is now exploring measures to strengthen relations with Kyiv.
06:55 Ukraine Seeking Direct Agreements with Weapons Manufacturers
The Ukrainian government is shifting its strategy towards greater cooperation with weapons manufacturers. The aspiration is to establish direct agreements between Ukraine and the arms industry. Vice Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov signed such an agreement with a Bulgarian company this past weekend, as per the news portal "Ukrinform." "This allows us to obtain modern weapons straight from the manufacturer, and it ultimately contributes to a quicker and more efficient modernization of the Ukrainian army," said Klimenkov.
06:19 Austrian Minister: Germany Breached a Threshold
Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner considers that Germany, France, and the United States have "crossed a red line" by granting permission for Kyiv to use Western weapons on Russian soil. In an interview with "Die Presse," she is thus delighted with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's statement that no soldiers will be deployed to Ukraine. When compelled to comment on the urgency for Ukraine to defend itself against shelling from the Russian borderline, she added: "As a militarily neutral state, it is beyond our purview to pass judgment."
05:38 Bundeswehr: Reserve Troop Strength to be Markedly Amplified
In the German Defense Ministry, plans are underway to considerably enhance the strength of the Bundeswehr's reserve. This would also entail training and arming them in a fashion reminiscent of how the reserve was managed during the Cold War. The objective is to have around 60,000 people as reservists in a so-called basic order, who will be designated for a specific task and trained.
04:37 German Government Cautious about Macron's Intentions
The German government opposes plans by French President Emmanuel Macron to send European soldiers to Ukraine for the purpose of educating Ukrainian forces. As stated in an internal EU document that "Welt am Sonntag" has access to, the training in the EU provides security whereas the risk of attacks on training facilities in Ukraine worsens their effectiveness. These security concerns were emphasized by the German government amid the meeting of European defense ministers on May 28.
03:20 Ukrainian Army: Russians Attempting Breakthrough
The Ukrainian General Staff chronicled a total of 76 skirmishes during the previous day. The most volatile situation involves the Pokrovsk Front, where 27 Russian attacks were recorded. According to the Army Command in Kyiv, the Russians are attempting to push through from Ocheretyne to Yevhenivka and Novooleksandrivka.
After the emergence of graffiti displaying soldiers' caskets in Paris, three Moldovan individuals have been apprehended. The probe into the matter is still underway, and one cannot exclude foreign involvement, suggests a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office. On Friday, graffiti was observed on the exterior of residences in the French capital, showcasing a casket and the message "French soldier in Ukraine." In the wee hours of Saturday, these three Moldovans were detained in close proximity to the area, carrying paint cans and stencils. Approximately two days prior, caskets engraved with "French soldiers in Ukraine" were spotted at the Eiffel Tower. Three suspects were arrested, one of whom was a German national.
00:39 UN: 174 civilian casualties in Ukraine throughout May
As per a declaration from the United Nations, May had the highest number of casualties in Ukraine since June 2023, with at least 174 civilians meeting their demise. Ukraine has consistently blamed Russia for deliberately bombing residential areas close to the frontline in order to coerce residents to leave. Moscow refutes allegations of intentionally targeting civilians.
23:24 Bombing of ambulance reported: Drone dispatches explosives
Injuring the driver of an ambulance, Ukrainian information sources claim that Russian forces employed a drone to deliver explosives onto an ambulance. The occurrence transpired in the village of Biloserka, according to the head of the Kherson region.
22:23 Prosecutor General: The majority of Ukrainian POWs were subjected to torture
Rampant usage of torture towards prisoners of war or civilians is thought to be prevalent within the Russian armed forces. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin asserts that up to 90% of the returning Ukrainian prisoners of war suffered various kinds of torture, inhumane treatment, physical and sexual abuse, and mind games. This is reported by the media outlet "Euromaidan Press." "The initial informal conversations with returning military prisoners indicate that up to 90% of our citizens endured various forms of torture, inhumane treatment, physical, including sexual, and psychological cruelty," the Prosecutor General elaborates.
21:42 Zelensky views Russian Charkiv offensive as a flop
In Zelensky's viewpoint, Russian troops failed in their offensive in the Charkiv region. In his evening address, the president asserted that he conversed with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi regarding the general state of affairs on the frontlines. A significant result from his perspective is that the Russian troops fail to execute their operation in Charkiv. "We are at present thwarting them as efficiently as we can and annihilating Russian divisions that are infiltrating our nation and instilling terror in the Charkiv region. The conditions at the Charkiv Front are tense and are anticipated to escalate. The situation in the Donetsk region is the most complex."
Read also:
- The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service's spokesperson hinted at a potential second Russian Sukhoi Su-57 jet being damaged in a cyberwar attack, sparking military operations against Ukraine by Russia.
- The escalating Ukraine conflict led to Russia being accused of using African migrants as forced soldiers in their offensive against Ukraine, particularly in Kharkiv.
- NATO is considering the deployment of a permanent representative in Kyiv, Ukraine, to offer more predictable assistance, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues and NATO members may not support Ukraine's membership talks.
- Russia is reportedly preparing to conduct training programs for military officers in the occupied territories of Ukraine, aiming to strengthen their positions in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
