Ukraine's electricity supply is expected to be interrupted frequently during winters.
Russian assaults on Ukrainian power plants could cause significant problems in the coming months, warns a Ukrainian government official. They predict that Ukrainians could be without power for most of the day during the winter. A different unnamed government official mentioned that the recent Russian attacks on energy facilities on Saturday were "devastating." Over 1.2 gigawatts of power generation were lost due to these assaults, and critical infrastructure for transporting gas from underground storage in western Ukraine was extensively damaged, according to one of the officials. Since the start of the war in 2023, Ukraine's power generation capacity has dropped from around 55 gigawatts to just 20 gigawatts.
1:14 Russian Administrator: Child dies due to Ukrainian shelling in village
In a Russian-occupied village in southern Ukraine, eleven people were allegedly wounded by Ukrainian artillery fire, as stated by the Russian-appointed administration in the Zaporizhzhia region. Yevgeny Balitsky, the head of the Russian-appointed administration, reported this incident on Telegram. He mentioned that a five-year-old girl had died from her injuries. However, there has been no independent confirmation of this occurrence. The village of Novoslobodskaya was shelled on Tuesday evening. According to maps of the front line, the Ukrainian village is approximately three kilometers behind the front line.
12:25 Swiss Jet Pilots Land Fighter Jets on Motorway at 260 km/h
The Swiss Air Force is training its pilots in the case of a potential conflict: fighter jet pilots practiced starting and landing on a motorway in Payerne. The pilots of the F/A-18s landed successfully, according to Brigadier Christian Oppliger, the deputy commander of the Swiss Air Force. The planes had a landing speed of around 260 kilometers per hour. The last time the Swiss Air Force conducted such an exercise was in 1991. "The Air Force must be prepared for everything," said Oppliger. It's not just about defense now, but also about attacking enemy ground-air systems. The Air Force wants to be able to maintain a barrier to enemy land up to 100 kilometers beyond the borders. The point of the exercise was to test how rapidly the Air Force could be ready for action after a potential first strike on military airfields elsewhere.
12:00 Kiev Celebrates Harris' Participation in Peace Conference
Ukraine is pleased with the participation of US Vice President Harris in the peace conference in Switzerland. The confirmation of Harris' attendance on June 15 and 16 is a "significant message," said the head of the Presidential Administration. The Ukrainians initially desired the participation of U.S. President Biden, but he will instead meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky on Thursday in France, where commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy will take place. Another meeting has been planned for next week at the G7 summit in Italy.
11:20 Scholz Plans to Order More Eurofighters - "Defense Industrial Turnaround" Necessary
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz instructed the defense industry that they would receive "reliable orders" to expand their production capacities in Germany and Europe. "The federal government has a great interest in a robust aerospace industry in Germany and Europe," Scholz remarked during the opening of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin. "Therefore, we will order an additional 20 Eurofighters during this legislative period - in addition to the 38 aircraft that are already in the pipeline," the chancellor added. He spoke of a necessary "defense industrial turnaround." The government will also advocate for other opportunities, such as Eurofighter exports. "I am pushing hard for the preservation and expansion of production capacities," Scholz stated, directing his attention towards the defense industry.
10:49 Munz to Peace Conference: "Global Support is Declining, Russia is Successful"
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is lobbying for participation in the peace conference in Switzerland, Russia is trying to prevent as many countries as possible from attending - with success. At the beginning of the war, 141 UN member states denounced Russia's attack, while significantly fewer are now confirming their attendance at the event, according to ntv-reporter Rainer Munz.
10:05 Has the Kremlin Increased Security Measures for Putin?
According to the "Moscow Times," the security measures for Kremlin head Vladimir Putin have been substantially intensified. The Russian security services have allegedly raised already tight security measures to an unprecedented level, two Russian officials who have attended many of Putin's public appearances confirmed to the newspaper. The newspaper also references a source close to the Kremlin. Since 2023, Putin has reportedly been wearing a bulletproof vest during public appearances. Incidents like the assassination of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico three weeks ago or the attack on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nearly two years ago have caused increased security concerns at the Kremlin, says one of the officials. The Kremlin had previously stated that there had been no increase in security measures for Putin. In the report, one of the officials mentions the following risk factors: an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin, the danger of Ukrainian drone attacks or sabotage activities, and the risk of Islamic attacks.
The Russian military keeps attacking the city of Nikopol in Ukraine, as the local government reports. Yesterday evening and this morning, the city on the Dnipro River was targeted with heavy artillery and suicide drones, the governor of Dnipropetrovsk region mentions. Fortunately, no one got injured, but five houses and a power line were damaged. Four drones were also brought down in the region, the governor says.
8:24 - Drones invade Russia's airspace: What the Storks from the 71st Fighter Brigade seeThe aerial surveillance of the 71st Fighter Brigade observes Russian activities behind the front line, using their "storks." They notice less hostile activities, but Ukrainian drones are penetrating deeper into Russian territory and challenging the Russian air defense.
8:06 - Putin invites foreign journalists to their first post-war meetingRussian President Vladimir Putin will interact with Western press representatives for the first time since the beginning of his nearly two-year-long conflict with Ukraine at the international economic forum in St. Petersburg. This event was not held in 2022 and 2023. The forum starts on Wednesday and ends on Saturday.
7:30 - Ukraine's army reports intense battles near DonetskThe Ukrainian army reports challenging conditions on the front lines in the eastern part of the country. There are reports of heavy fighting northwest of Donetsk. Yesterday, there were 37 attacks towards the city of Pokrovsk, according to the military report. The Russian troops are most engaged in the area of Ocheretyne. The troops are trying to make progress in various directions. The region is nestled between Donetsk and Pokrovsk.
7:02 - Ukraine encounters another night of drone attacksUkrainian military reveals that Russian forces engaged Ukraine in drone bombardments overnight. The Ukrainian military states that they shot down 22 out of 27 drones. The drones were downed in southern, northeastern, and central Ukraine. In central Ukraine's Poltava region, an industrial facility was damaged, and a person was injured, regional governor Filip Pronin shares.
6:30 - US Embassy warns male US citizens with Ukrainian citizenship of potential indefinite detainment in UkraineThe United States warns male US citizens who also have Ukrainian citizenship not to travel to Ukraine, as they may not be able to leave the country indefinitely. The US Embassy in Ukraine declares, "There is a very high risk that your departure will be denied, even if you have a US passport." Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 have not been allowed to leave the country.
6:00 - Ukraine recruits drone operators for military dutyThe Ukrainian Defense Ministry announces a project to enlist drone operators for the armed forces. The online newspaper "Ukrajinska Pravda" reports on this. Anyone over 18 years old can apply, it says. First, they must complete an online course, then learn to manage drones, and finally enlist in the army.
5:15 NATO Secretary General condemns China's shunning of Ukraine peace conferenceNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticizes China for staying away from the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. "It's unfortunate that China has decided not to participate," the Norwegian states in an NDR Info podcast "Streitkräfte und Strategien" interview. Withdrawal reflects its inability to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in violation of international law. The Chinese had also not criticized the invasion but instead signed an agreement promising Putin and Xi infinite partnership.
2:56 - Biden to meet with Zelenskyy twiceUS President Joe Biden will hold two significant discussions with Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reveals. Biden will partake in the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in France this week, and Zelenskyy is also anticipated in France. In the ensuing week, the G7 summit will take place in Italy.
2:16 - Allegations of "filtration camps" in VovchanskRussian occupiers are establishing "filtration camps" in the disputed city of Vovchansk, according to Ukrainian authorities. This is conveyed by Governor of Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, citing the Kyiv Independent. These camps are used by Russia to document and identify Ukrainians in the occupied territories. There have been past allegations of torture, rape, and deportations. In the occupied portion of Vovchansk, only a few people remain, Syniehubov informs further. These people are deployed as human shields by the adversary.
12:21 - The long night of artillery attacks in Dnipropetrovsk regionThe governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region narrates a tale of an all-night battleground filled with artillery attacks on her region. The night was restless, with nonstop bombing from the Russian military, she shares. The residential complex Stribuk, Pidgaiske, the regional center, and military towns in Dnipropetrovsk region were all bombarded by the Russian forces, the governor says, noting that local residents had to remain in bomb shelters throughout the night.
00:48 - Charges of corruption leveled against former head of Ukraine's arms procurementThe former head of Ukraine's procurement of military equipment, Serhiy Bezler, will stand trial, Ukrainian authorities confirm. The authorities indict him on charges of corruption. Bezler was earlier the Army Commander of the People's Militia in the Donetsk People's Republic.
The past head of Ukraine's weapon acquisition must confront corruption charges in court. He is accused of agreeing to exaggerated costs for aircraft components, as stated by the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau in Kiev. This situation is from 2016 and is not linked to the ongoing battle between Ukraine's army and Russia's attacks. The defendant concurred with a private firm over aircraft components' prices that were seven times greater than the normal market value, the bureau provides more information. His business accomplice is already facing trial.
In Moscow, authorities are intensifying their reaction against supporters of the late Russian critic Alexei Navalny, who assembled for a small memorial function on his birthday. Members of a special task force are breaking into a location where around fifty individuals had gathered to view a live broadcast of a Navalny memorial performance in Berlin, according to the human rights organization Ovd-Info. Around 30 individuals were temporarily arrested, searched, and questioned. Navalny would have turned 48 now. Read more here.
At least 600 children have been killed due to the war since its inception in February 2022, as per UN representative Denise Brown. Over 1,400 other children were injured, as confirmed by the United Nations. This represents just the recorded cases. The actual number of slain children is most likely much greater. Ukrainian President Olena Zelenska urged allies during a remembrance ceremony held in Kiev: "Aid us in safeguarding our youngsters." Ukraine is demanding more weapons. Zelenska asserted that the lives of children are worth more than "the expenses of air defense."
Stunning images are circulating on social media, allegedly showing deprived Ukrainian captives. Images of Roman Horilyk, a member of the Ukrainian National Guard, are spreading quickly. Notable journalist Illia Ponomarenko disclosed the recordings, which depict Horilyk in a very weakened condition. "This is his state when he returned to Ukraine following the most recent prisoner exchange," Ponomarenko wrote. The soldier was held at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and spent over two years in Russian warfare. "The narrative repeats itself and shouts that its lessons must be learned." Several people on social media are comparing Horilyk's look to that of concentration camp victims.
New satellite imagery has been made public, reportedly depicting an extraordinary assault on Russian soil. An attack on a Russian S-300/400 missile defense system has drawn considerable interest. It's not only significant due to the significance of the system but also because the assault occurred on Russian territory. Moscow is not acknowledging the assault, but videos and pictures indicate successful hits - and now also satellite images published by Radio Liberty. They depict scorched launch ramps and a wrecked S-300/400 system command center. The assault is believed to have been carried out with a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher from the United States, and Washington recently allowed Ukraine to aim targets on Russian territory to defend the Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian President Zelensky asserts that the nation is once more in a critical point. "It's just early June, but the upcoming weeks will determine the entire summer and, in many aspects, the entire year," says Zelensky in his evening video speech. He mentions the peace conference in Switzerland, "the mobilization of the world for Ukraine, our dealings with the EU, the positions at the forefront, and also the production inside the nation."
Prior to the European elections, there are, as per Brussels reports, multiple insinuations of Russian disinformation in Germany, France, and Poland. These three nations have forever been "regularly" targeted by Russia, states EU Vice President Vera Jourova in Brussels. In Germany, details are usually manipulated around "questions of immigration and security." Jourova discussed an analysis performed by the European Online Media Observatory (EDMO). According to this, Russian disinformation campaigns frequently revolve around topics connected to the war in Ukraine. Together, Germany, France, and Poland total 145 million eligible voters. It is around 40% of the EU's total voters.
Read also:
- The Ukrainian government is concerned about possible Russian cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, including the power grid, following the escalation of military operations in Ukraine.
- During a recent meeting with NATO leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky urged for increased support in the face of Russian aggression and warned about the potential for cyberwarfare.
- Russia has been accused of carrying out several cyberattacks on Ukrainian targets in the past, including the disruption of power supplies and telecommunications infrastructure.
- In response to the increasing threat of cyberwarfare, Ukraine has strengthened its cyberdefenses and has been working closely with NATO and other international partners to share intelligence and develop coordinated response strategies.
