Ukrainian military succeeds in halting Russian progress toward Lyman.

Ukrainian army successfully repels Russian forces' attempt to capture Lyman.

In the evening update, the Ukrainian military announces that their defensive measures have thwarted Russian attacks. Kremlin forces' attempts to infiltrate deep into Ukrainian territory have been unsuccessful, according to the army's Facebook post. The General Staff said that while the enemy didn't attack Lyman, Ukrainian troops managed to maintain firing control and had successful outcomes in specific areas. There have been 11 combats in the Kharkiv region alone since morning.

22:33 US Department: Russia to compensate for Putin's Ukraine harmThe US State Department declares its plan to employ the recently-passed US Congress law to seize Russian assets in America for Ukraine's advantage. The statement reads, "Congress has given us the authority to seize Russian assets in the United States, and we are set to utilize it." The officials also aim to collaborate with the G7 partners. Seized Russian state funds are intended to cover the damages "Putin is causing in Ukraine," according to the announcement.

21:27 Post-devastating rocket attacks on Kharkiv: residents in stunKharkiv, one of the cities that's been under relentless bombardment since the Ukraine war's commencement, recently experienced deadly airstrikes in what should have been a recreational area. The locals are caring for the injured and deceased amidst the continued violence. Reports circulate about possible new military aid.

21:01 Drones for Ukraine: Latvian foreign minister solicits donations in marathonLatvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže ran the Riga Marathon to collect funds for drones for Ukraine. Braže announced on X that she ran a half-marathon, her first one. She shared, "We raised almost 10,000 euros. Let's do a little more." With about 34,000 participants, the race saw Baiba run with the number 815 symbolizing the 815 days Ukraine has been defending against Russia's war.

20:15 Selenskyj: Russian military misses targetsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi states that the newest offensive by Russian troops in northeastern Ukraine has failed to reach its goal. "In truth, the occupier isn't accomplishing its aim of exhausting our forces, and thus weakening Ukraine across a broad front from Kharkiv to the Donetsk region," Zelenskyi said in his evening video message. According to the Ukrainian military, the advance in the Kharkiv region has stalled after initial gains. In the south, near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, Russian troops have also faced defeat. However, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities remain under constant fire. "The brutal Russian shelling and the daily rocket and glide bomb attacks persist," Zelenskyj commented. The Ukrainian military is yet to find an effective defense against the glide bombs, which are guided by Russian fighter jets from a distance onto their targets (see entry 09:35).

19:37 Governor: At least 13 people hurt by Ukrainian shelling in BelgorodAt least 13 individuals have been harmed, with residential buildings damaged, as a result of Ukrainian shelling in the southern Russian region of Belgorod, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. He posted on Telegram that Shchekino was targeted by multiple launchers. Eleven people, including three children, and two individuals from the neighboring village of Rzhevka, were injured.

19:04 Selenskyj: Russia instills fear, kills regular peopleIn response to the Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region (see entries 16:55 and 15:00), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj accuses Russia of instilling fear and murdering "ordinary people." Authorities listed at least eleven civilians killed and many others injured. According to police reports, Russian forces follow a pattern they've been accused of repeatedly: They shell the same area again 20 minutes after the initial attack, increasing the likelihood of harming rescue workers. Injured included a paramedic and a policeman who came to help the first attack's victims.

5:22 Zelensky seeks two Patriot systems for Kharkiv protectionPresident Zelensky calls out for international help by asking for two Patriot air defense systems to shield the people of Kharkiv from continuous Russian attacks. He says in a Telegram post, "The world can end Russian terror, but we must overcome the lack of political will by leaders." Two Patriots for Kharkiv, Zelensky underlines, could significantly transform the situation. For weeks, Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine has been attacked with substantial artillery fire. Previously, NATO declared plans to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. Allies were supposed to help via direct delivery of air defense systems or by contributing financially. Zelensky estimated that his country would need at least seven Patriot systems or similar weapons to secure the nation from Russian attacks.

5:09 Russian drone harms family in KhersonIn Beryslav of the Kherson region, a family gets hurt from an explosive ejected by a Russian drone. The local military administration notifies on Telegram that three hurt individuals are hospitalized — a 21-year-old man and two women aged 42 and 71. The doctors find their conditions as moderate, as reported. Besides, two other Beryslav residents are hurt by drones, aged 59 and 70. Both men got wounded from mine impacts and bruises, with one suffering from a back injury. The victims are receiving medical care, said the statement.

4:28 Russian minesweeper reportedly sunk by UkrainiansThe Ukrainian military reports to have sunk a Russian warship. The navy posted a photo on Telegram with a red cross over the "Kovrovets" Russian Black Sea Fleet minesweeper's picture symbolizing its demise. "The Ukrainian navy and its staunch allies are bringing warfare closer to victory," says the caption. The details of how and where the "Kovrovets" sank aren't revealed. The minesweepers of this class have crews of 70. This information about the sinking remains unverified.

4:00 Surging death toll in Kharkiv recreational area under Russian bombingPer Ukrainian officials, at least six individuals have been killed and 27 more injured in an assault by a Russian missile in a leisure area just near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Earlier, there was information of only five deaths and 25 injuries (see entry 15:00).

3:15 London: Moscow's move on Kharkiv an awakeningRussia's offensive on Kharkiv is an "awakening call," UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps writes on Platform X. Countries must expedite their aid, Shapps declares. So far, the UK has offered a million rounds of ammunition, drones, and air defense missiles to the frontlines to hinder Putin's army. Ukraine has endured Russia's active hostility for three years. President Vladimir Putin's strategies, per Shapps, are "bluffs" in this conflict, and the Russian economy had to convert to weaponry production, a state he describes as unsustainable over an extended period. The West needs to stay the course and support supplies and training. He also stresses that the British aren't keen on a direct clash with Russia, but they'll endorse tools and training.

2:38 UK Education Minister Pleads for Using Weapons against Crimean PeninsulaUK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps appeals for allies to allow Ukraine to use weapons on Russian-occupied Crimean territory. The UK has supplied Ukraine with parts for aid, but the question of its usage is raised. A British official commented on BBC: "These arms can and should be used across Ukraine, including Crimea."

2:15 Wigging out over whether Ukrainian Forces can attack Russia-held Crimean territory?Shapps, UK Defense Secretary, anticipates allies will allow weapons with longer range provided by them to be used in Crimea, the occupied Russian territory. As he spoke to Sky News, he remarked, "All partners who can provide weapons for this range should allow them to be used in areas occupied by Russia." Germany was mentioned specifically.

1:42 Unexploded ammunition detonates in Dnipro, injuring oneAn unexploded shell detonated in Dnipro, wounding one person. Military advisors, massive shelling has left a significant number of unstable munitions in the region. An investigation is underway to identify the origin of the ammunition. It remains unclear if this was a Russian-fired munition.

3:00 PM Kharkiv's Mayor: "Terror Against Innocent Civilians"

In light of the Russian missile strikes on a leisure area close to Kharkiv, Kharkiv's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, speak out against "terror against innocent civilians, against our right to life, against everything human and just." Based on information provided by local officials, ten individuals were killed in Russian air attacks in the Kharkiv area - including a pregnant woman. Twenty-five people were wounded. Later in the day, five civilians were killed and nine injured in Kupjansk district, according to Governor Oleh Synyehubov via Telegram updates. The Russian military had targeted two villages in the district. Earlier, five casualties with sixteen injuries were documented from the city of Kharkiv (see entry at 1:23 PM). The Ukrainian media displayed photos of unidentifiable bodies on the ground. The people had been resting at the location on Sunday when the missiles hit. The Ukrainian General Staff disclosed an escalation in confrontations in the region. According to their statement, Russia heavily intensified its attacks. Reports indicated thousands of individuals had been relocated to safer locations. Mayor Techerov urged caution.

2:38 PM Assessing the Repercussions from Drone Attacks from the Previous Night

According to Russia, more than 60 drones and several missiles were shot down over its territory on Sunday night. Ukrainian air forces reported the annihilation of all 37 Russian drones that aimed at their country during the night. Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed 57 Ukrainian drones were destroyed over the southern Russian region of Krasnodar. Representatives from local military acknowledged that drone debris impacted an oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani city. There were no reports of fire or damage. Nine long-range missiles and a drone were destroyed over the Russian-occupied Crimea. Additionally, three drones were brought down over the Belgorod region adjacent to Ukraine. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov noted a church roof had caught fire with no casualties. The Russian-appointed governor of the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, announced that one person was killed and 16 others injured when a Ukrainian drone struck a minibus on Sunday morning. In the north-eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, where Moscow recently launched a new offensive, one person perished due to shelling the previous day, according to Regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov. Eleven individuals were injured. Later, he stated that four civilians were killed and 15 injured in a Russian air attack on Kharkiv's suburbs.

2:00 PM President Zelenskyi Acknowledges Need for Air Defense Systems against Russian Missile Terror

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi expressed sympathy to the families of those killed in the Russian missile assaults on Sunday. "Fresh reports about Russian terrorist acts are surfacing every hour. Rockets, bombs, and artillery," he wrote on Facebook. "The only thing that sustains Russia's aggression is its capacity to terrorize our towns and communities and slaughter ordinary people." He appealed to the world to halt Russian terror. "To accomplish this, the insufficient political will among the heads of state and government must be overcome." He emphasized that two Patriot air defense systems in Kharkiv could significantly alter the situation. "Air defense systems across other Ukrainian cities and ample support for our frontline fighters will cause the downfall of Russian terror."

1:23 PM Several Killed, Wounded in Kharkiv Region Due to Russian Missile Strikes

The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, adjusted the casualty numbers following the Russian bombing. Five people died at a recreation park in a Kharkiv suburb, and at least sixteen individuals were injured. "Two Russian missiles impacted a recreation facility where people were relaxing, killing five individuals and injuring sixteen others." Among the deceased was a seven-month-pregnant woman, according to local police. The second strike took place 20 minutes later. This "double-tap strategy" is employed to kill first responders with a follow-up attack. Per Kharkiv's governor, a paramedic was injured. Additionally, two people were slain by Russian fire in two villages in Kharkiv's east, Novosynove and Kivsharivka. Three individuals were hurt there.

1:07 PM Ukraine Reports Additional Attacks on Targets in Russia during the Night

Besides the refinery in Krasnodar, the Ukrainian news agency RBC detailed further Ukrainian attacks on targets in Russia during the night. The Kushchevsk airfield, an oil depot in the Leningrad region near St. Petersburg, were targeted. The Ukrainian drone forces were involved in these attacks. There were "dozens" of fighter jets at the airfield. Ukraine had previously reported an attack on Kushchevetsk in April.

12:41 Russia Announces Attacks by UkraineAs per Moscow's reports, the air strikes executed by Ukraine are much larger than initially indicated. The Russian Ministry of Defense declared that their air defenses successfully shot down 103 Ukrainian drones and twelve ATACMS missiles supplied by the U.S. within a span of 24 hours. Earlier, the ministry mentioned that Ukraine had attacked the annexed Crimean peninsula using nine ATACMS missiles and affected Russian regions through at least 60 drones.

11:57 Update: Four Casualties in KharkivThe death toll raised to four due to Russian airstrikes on the Kharkiv district, as per Ukrinform. Supposedly, this attack inflicted significant damage on a public park, resulting in a stealthy double-strike.

11:35 Two Fatalities, Eight Wounded in KharkivTwo civilians succumbed to a Russian strike in the Kharkiv region. The head of the district's military administration, Oleh Synegubov, confirmed that an emergency paramedic was among the eight injured as well (refer to entry from 11:06).

11:06 Progress of Russian Invasion Stalls Near KharkivAs per reports from the Ukrainian General Staff, the Russian ground forces ceased their advance towards Kharkiv on Saturday. Though locals still endure persistent airstrikes, ground operations have halted. A message published on Telegram reads, "The enemy did not conduct active operations towards Kharkiv. The defense forces are diligently strengthening positions, restocking reserves, undertaking reconnaissance, and maintaining control over the enemy's actions."

10:47 Air Raid Alert Status in Eastern UkraineAccording to various Ukrainian media outlets, all eastern regions of the country have implemented an air alert. Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform stated that a Russian missile is currently airborne towards Kiev.

10:40 Ukrainian Navy Claims A Sunk MinesweeperThe Ukrainian Navy claims to have sunk a minesweeper from the Russian Black Sea Fleet during the night. The minesweeper, referred to as "Kovrovets," a boat of the "Project 266M" class from 1974, is pictured on Facebook with the crossed-out symbol.

A Ukrainian police officer and a war crimes prosecutor inspect fragments of a glide bomb in front of a damaged house after a Russian airstrike on a residential neighborhood in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

10:18 Steel Balls in Ukrainian DronesThe six drones that hit a refinery facility in southern Russia (initial report from 06:09) reportedly carried steel balls, as per Russian sources. The drones were larger, and each held considerable amounts of destructive elements - in this case, steel balls - making them more deadly. The plant continues to stop operations, evaluating the extent of the damage. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that they've taken down 57 Ukrainian drones in Krasnodar.

09:52 The Law on Mobilization and New AttacksAs Ukraine enforces the newly implemented mobilization law, men eligible for military service are subject to reporting obligations. In parallel, combat drones, missiles, and glide bombs are being utilized in a series of attacks. ntv reporter Jürgen Weichert provides an insight from Kiev regarding the current state in the country.

09:35 The Danger of Glide BombsRussia's increased use of glide bombs poses a major challenge for Ukraine's defense systems. Due to the sheer number of glide bombs launched, the air defenses could be too depleted to provide effective countermeasures, as explained by military expert Justin Bronk from the Royal United Services Institute: "All available air defense ammunition would be used too quickly." Information warfare expert Terrell Jermaine Starr further elaborates on this issue by stating that Ukraine must either move its Patriot systems near the front to shoot down the aircraft launching the glide bombs or risk losing them.

08:46 Successful Defense Against Russian Aerial AttacksUkraine declared its success in repelling a sizable Russian aerial assault. The Ukrainian Air Force asserted that Russia attacked the regions of Kiev, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Zhytomy, Cherkasy, and Kherson with 37 attack drones during the night. All of the Iranian-made drones - Shahed - were successfully intercepted by Ukraine's air defense.

08:26 Russia Exhausting Ukraine's ResourcesDespite Washington's military aid, many units on the Ukrainian front face insufficient ammunition. To aggravate this issue, Russia is using this vulnerability to its advantage and assaulting various regions in Ukraine.

07:47 Russia may have intercepted 9 U.S. ATACMS missiles in Crimea

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted nine U.S. ATACMS missiles over the Russian-held Crimea during the night. Additionally, they shot down an enemy drone in the region and destroyed three other drones in Belgorod near the border and 57 more in Krasnodar, they announced on Telegram. However, the information could not be verified.

07:10 Ukraine: Russia reports 1210 soldiers lost in a day

Every day, the Ukrainian army shares on Facebook the number of Russian soldiers killed or injured, based on their calculations. According to these records, Russian losses on Saturday amounted to no less than 1210 soldiers, with the total number of Russian losses in the war reaching 492,290 soldiers. In addition, they reportedly destroyed 16 tanks and 35 armored vehicles. As usual, the data remains unverified.

06:34 ISW: Russia focuses on capturing Chassiv Yar

The Russian invasion forces increased their efforts to capture the strategically significant city of Chassiv Yar in the eastern Donetsk region. The Institute for the Study of War highlighted this in their latest analysis. These forces also intend to force Ukraine to withdraw troops from the area around Chasiv Yar by launching a new offensive in the Kharkiv region, according to the International Security Watch's assessment. The ISW also noted that the Russian army is advancing further in Kharkiv.

The Institute for the Study of War mentioned the demand made by former Russian President Medvedev, who has called for a "buffer zone" in Ukraine to encompass its entirety. As the Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council and a key member of Putin's close circle, Medvedev's statement appears to reveal the true intention behind the alleged "buffer zone."

06:09 Slavyansk-na-Kubani: Drone crashes at oil refinery

In the southern Russian city of Slavyansk-na-Kubani, a drone crashed onto the site of an oil refinery. The authorities in the Krasnodar region informed the public about a "local fire," but no casualties or damages were reported. Ukraine has been targeting Russian refineries for some time now.

05:40 Danone completes sale of Russian business

French dairy giant, Danone, has completed the sale of its Russian business to a businessman with ties to Chechnya after 30 years in the country. The transaction was made to Vamin Tatarstan, owned by businessman Mintimer Mingasov. The Russian businessman agreed to pay 17.7 billion roubles (180 million euros) to take control of Danone's Russian operations. Experts believe the real value to be around 80 billion roubles. In July 2021, Yakub Zakriyev, a nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was appointed as the new head of Danone's Russian subsidiary.

04:37 Crimea: Explosions in Sevastopol

Reports suggest explosions occurred on the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula during the night. Crimean Governor Mikhail Rasvoshaev, appointed by Moscow, announced via Telegram that the air defenses in Sevastopol had successfully repelled a missile attack. However, the Sevastopol rescue service reported no damage to civilian infrastructure.

03:33 Ukraine: Nationwide drone attacks

Massive drone attacks are being carried out by Russia in Ukraine overnight. According to the Ukrainian air force, the affected areas include Kiev, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Odessa. Explosions have been heard in many places, and air alerts were issued in most parts of the country. No information on casualties or damages is currently available.

02:20 Kharkiv region: Civilians targeted in airstrike

Ukrainian authorities report that civilians were shelled in two towns in the northern Kharkiv region overnight. The Ukrainian public prosecutor's office is investigating the airstrike on a residential area in the Kharkiv regional capital as a potential war crime. Six civilians, including three young people, were injured. Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilians. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of people have been killed and injured.

01:04 Germany: Additional funds for Ukraine's military aid

The German government wants to significantly increase its military support for Ukraine this year. The Federal Ministry of Defense has therefore requested an additional requirement of 3.8 billion euros for military aid. So far, the coalition government has allocated 7.1 billion euros for military aid. The extra-budgetary spending is expected to be presented to parliament for approval in June. The Finance Ministry has signaled its approval.

Disclaimer: This is a paraphrased version of the given story in an informal, engaging style, and all formatting from the original has been maintained. It may not be 100% accurate due to the changes in wording and sentence structure.

The Ukrainian General Staff has recorded 77 battles within the past 24 hours, mentioning that seven of them are still ongoing. In a Telegram channel, they assert that Russian troops are attempting to better their tactical position. The Ukrainian army has conducted four assaults to force the Russians out of captured positions, according to the General Staff's report.

Tragically, Lieutenant Colonel Denys Vasyliuk, a recipient of the "Order of Valor" award for individual courage and heroism, lost his life during a combat mission. He had completed numerous missions throughout his career, serving as the chief of staff of the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade and the deputy commander of an aviation squadron. His current unit has now disclosed that he was recently killed in action. No additional details about his death have been provided. The Ukrainian air force has remained silent on the situation.

In spite of this, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared at the Cannes Film Festival in a biopic produced by Polish filmmaker Patryk Vega. The movie ends with Putin's death. "It was meant to be a cheerful ending," states Vega, who had jokingly asked Putin if he wanted to participate in the project. Unable to gather him, Vega decided to use deepfake technology incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to create a Putin-like face on a real actor. "It's the first movie to utilize this technology," says the filmmaker. The results are astounding, and the film features Putin in various scenarios, such as his iconic poses, working at opulent desks, playing the piano, and even experiencing moments of incontinence in his hospital bed.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, discussed the war in Ukraine's impact in an interview with the Kyiv Independent, believing that its consequences would extend to Taiwan. He emphasized that Ukraine's battle served as a wake-up call for the island state. In the event of Kiev's defeat, China is believed to be the next potential conflict area. Foreign Minister Wu also shares that Taiwan's future is dependent on the ongoing war in Ukraine, stating that if Russia achieves victory, Taiwan may subsequently become a target for Beijing's "reunification" efforts.