Ukrainian Air Force commends Mirage fighter planes but still depends on F-16s.
The Ukrainian Air Force has expressed excitement over the modern and versatile Mirage fighter jets that France plans to provide to Ukraine. A spokesperson for the Air Force noted that these jets can perform a variety of combat tasks, but F-16 combat aircraft are a higher priority for Ukraine. The country is currently waiting for the training of F-16 pilots to be completed. Securing storage for Western jets is a challenge due to constant Russian air raids. The Mirage fighter jet was developed in France during the 1970s and was once the most vital combat aircraft of the French army; it has been exported to various countries.
At 6:30 a.m., it was announced that Sumy, a region located near the Ukrainian-Russian border, is evacuating eight more settlements due to daily Russian attacks. The governor of the region shared this news on state television. In the past 24 hours, there were over 50 explosions reported from Sumy. At the beginning of the week, three people were killed and three others injured from Russian shelling. With this development, the number of civilians killed in this region this year has risen to 50. They were killed from attacks involving artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drones.
At 5:45 a.m., French arms manufacturer Thales revealed that they are selling a second air defense system to Ukraine. Following the delivery of a first air defense system in 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is purchasing a second system. Air defense is currently one of the most pressing issues on Ukrainian soil, as there are not enough defense weapons available to defend troops at the front and protect the larger cities.
At 4:48 a.m., a report by Bloomberg suggests that Germany is contemplating sending a fourth Patriot missile defense system to Kiev. This would be the fourth Patriot system Germany has provided to Ukraine. It follows Germany's recent decision to ease the rules regarding the use of Patriots against Russian aircraft in Russian airspace. With Patriots, Ukraine could theoretically shoot down Russian aircraft that attack targets in the Kharkiv region with rockets or glide bombs from outside Russian airspace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims about the illegitimate nature of his presidency by stating that only Putin recognizes him as legitimate while, in Ukraine, the president is chosen by the people. "The Ukrainian people are the only ones who can recognize the legitimacy of President Selenskyj. The Ukrainian people made their choice, and I am grateful for their support. We are free, frankly. Putin is the only one who recognizes his own legitimacy. Only Putin chooses Putin. The Russians are just a backdrop, with only one actor on the stage," said Zelensky in a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
At 2:05 p.m., it was announced that Germany intends to offer Ukraine a long-term perspective beyond military aid through the upcoming Ukraine reconstruction conference. The aim is to show opportunities to civil society, the economy, and local communities and regions. The conference on Tuesday and Wednesday in Berlin will not only involve Chancellor Scholz and various German ministers and ministers but also a high-ranking Ukrainian delegation. The meeting is regarded as "not a fundraising conference, but a networking conference," according to a German government representative.
At 12:45 a.m., the Russian occupation administration reports that 22 people were killed in a Ukrainian artillery attack on a village occupied by Russia in the southern region of Kherson. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed head of the region, shared this information on Telegram. He stated that a grocery store in the village full of people had been hit, resulting in 15 injuries. The head of the administration called it a "vile murder of civilians," blaming Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine. However, clear evidence of the incident is yet to be verified independently.
French President Macron called for EU membership negotiations for Ukraine "by the end of the month" during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Paris. "France supports Ukraine in all areas, including on the European level, where we are trying to achieve a real start of accession negotiations by the end of the month," assured Macron. Zelensky also emphasized the almost finalized decision regarding Ukraine's integration into the EU. However, Hungary, which will assume the EU Council presidency on July 1, is reportedly delaying the process.
10:54 President Selenskyj's Popularity Hits All-Time Low
After a prolonged war of over two years, President Selenskyj's popularity in Ukraine has reached an all-time low, but he still has the backing of more than half of the nation. The KIIS Institute conducted a survey which revealed his endorsement has fallen below 60% for the first time. Likewise, shortly after the initial Russian assault in 2022, his approval rating was an astounding 90%. His popularity has been gradually decreasing throughout the war. His presidential tenure was scheduled to end in May, but he stayed in power under martial law. As of now, Ukraine's officials have made no mention of forthcoming elections, as 20% of the country is under Russian control and numerous Ukrainians have sought refuge overseas.
22:04 US Declines to Join Macron's Initiative
The American government has no intentions of getting involved in French President Emmanuel Macron's project to dispatch military instructors to Ukraine. speaking at the sidelines of US President Joe Biden's visit to France, National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby explained that Biden respects Macron's perspective. However, Biden has never wavered in his conviction since the commencement of the Ukrainian conflict that he would not dispatch American soldiers there. His opinion has remained unchanged, emphasized Kirby.
Concerning how much detail Macron shares about the topic and the clarity he provides, Kirby left that decision up to him. Meanwhile, since the start of the war in Ukraine, Biden has made numerous claims. He has stressed several times that he doesn't want a third world war and a conflict with Russia. You can find more details about past occurrences in our archives.
Read also:
- In response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict and Russia's cyberwarfare attempts, Nato has been providing Ukraine with cybersecurity training and support to enhance its defense capabilities.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, in his efforts to strengthen Ukraine's military operations against Russian aggression, has called for increased cooperation with Nato and the provision of advanced military equipment, such as F-16s and air defense systems.
- The attack on Ukraine by Russia has led to a significant increase in the demand for military assistance from Western nations, with many countries, including France, Germany, and the USA, pledging their support and providing modern weapons systems to Ukraine's military forces.
- With the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the threat of further cyberwarfare attacks, Russia's actions have prompted Ukraine to seek support and allies in its efforts to defend its territory and sovereignty, with Nato being a prominent partner in this endeavor.
