Ukrainian casualties increase drastically, with Russian forces facing over half a million casualties.
Russian forces have reportedly lost 515,000 soldiers, according to Ukrainian authorities, with a surge of 1,300 soldiers in the previous 24 hours. The Ukrainian General Staff added that 22 tanks and 48 artillery systems were also destroyed. The attackers' losses also include an anti-aircraft system and 40 armored personnel carriers. However, these numbers cannot be independently verified.
07:55: Drone attack interrupts work at Russian refinery in NowoschachtinskIn southern Russia, Russian reports claim a Ukrainian drone attack has disrupted operations at a refinery in Nowoschachtinsk. Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev confirmed a fire had erupted at the refinery as a result of the drone attack. The work has been suspended, but there are no recorded casualties. The Nowoschachtinsk refinery is considered one of the most significant oil refineries in southern Russia and is frequently targeted by Ukrainian attacks.
07:22: Procuring spare parts for Ukraine's military equipment is challengingKNDS defense company CEO Ralf Ketzel reveals it was not foreseen that repairs to damaged Ukrainian tanks would take so long. "We don't know the true extent of the maintenance problems on site. Around 80 to 90% of the repairs are not done by us, but by troops on the front lines," Ketzel explains. Obtaining spare parts for heavy military equipment is a difficult process. "This is something we should consider if the government wants to have a well-equipped army," he adds.
06:54: Ukrainian forces down 17 Russian combat dronesUkrainian defenders have repelled a Russian drone attack, successfully shooting down 17 of 18 Shahed drones in the regions of Mykolaiv, Kherson, Saporischschja, and Chmelnyzkyj. Additionally, two Iskander missiles were used to assault Dnipro, but it was unclear if they were subsequently taken down.
06:25: Putin threatens to place hi-tech long-range missiles if Russia is targetedPutin cautions that if the West permits Ukraine to use long-range armaments against Russia, he will retaliate with high-tech long-range missiles. He suggests these missiles might be targeted at nations that sanction Ukraine's use of specific weapons on Russian soil. Putin names American ATACMS, British, and French rocket systems as potential targets for the Russian missiles. The locations where these missiles might be placed have not yet been revealed.
05:52: KNDS: No quick deliveries for Ukraine's defense needsKNDS German defense company Managing Director Ralf Ketzel shares that his company is not able to promptly provide Ukraine with additional resources. Ketzel says, "The ability to quickly provide something has been used up." He also adds, "Two years ago, we could have made the strategic decision: This will be a long-term war. Then we could have supplied new materials now." However, this was not known with certainty at the time.
04:22: Russian President Putin seeks closer ties with TalibanPutin encourages improving Russia's relationship with the Taliban, recently installed as rulers of Afghanistan. At a gathering with foreign journalists during the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, where a Taliban delegation was present, Putin expressed, "We need to face reality." His Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had announced earlier that Moscow plans to remove the Taliban from the list of designated terrorist organizations, which they've been on since 2003.
03:32: Nawalny's widow receives Freedom Prize; urges resistance against Russian propagandaJulia Nawalnaya and the Alexei Navalny Foundation have been honored with the Freedom Prize by Deutsche Welle. Nawalny died suddenly in a Siberian prison on February 16. Nawalnaya vows in her acceptance speech that her late husband's ideals will live on. She warns about Russian disinformation and propagandists within the European Union prior to the European elections, citing Putin's efforts to impose his agenda. "He often succeeds," she says. Nawalnaya closed with the words, "We will continue to fight," and that "freedom of speech will overcome the 'poison of propaganda'."
02:44: Putin reports fire in Russian oil refineryA fire has been reported at an oil refinery in the Russian city of Nowotschinsk, as per Russian media. Earlier, multiple explosions occurred. The governor of the neighboring Ukrainian region, Rostov, describes the situation as a drone attack and reports emergency crews on-site. The refinery in Nowotschinsk has previously been targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks in March.
01:24 United States anticipates Russian military drills in the Caribbean.
The US imagines that Russia will carry out naval and air force drills in the Caribbean nearby their territory. "Given Russia's continuous military exercises, we expect increased military drills from Russia in the vicinity of the United States this summer," a US government representative told reporters. These military training sessions are viewed as part of Russia's standard military practices and won't directly threaten the US. "It's just about demonstrating that Russia retains the capacity to wield global power," the official said. US Navy will watch these exercises.
00:04 Vladimir Putin backs Russian loyalty with AfD.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, supports cooperation between Russian officials and politicians from the far-right AfD party. "We will partner with everyone who wishes to cooperate with Russia," Putin said during a chat with international news agency reps in St. Petersburg. Putin sees no indications of neo-Nazism in AfD's activities. He added there are no established connections with the German opposition party. Yet, if someone advocates normal relations with Russia, Moscow will endorse it.
23:29 Putin disregards concerns about a Russian invasion of NATO territories.
During a meeting with journalists from major global news agencies, Vladimir Putin disregards suggestions of a Russian incursion into NATO lands, stating "That's merely a figment of your imagination." Putin also denies any implication in threatening with an "atomic bomb." "But did I suggest using nuclear weapons? You created that yourself."
22:20 Putin agrees to study the death of AFP reporter Arman Soldin.
Russian president, Vladimir Putin, expresses his readiness to explore the death of Associated Press journalist, Arman Soldin, who was killed by a rocket strike during Russia's war in Ukraine. "We will do everything possible," Putin said while meeting with journalists at international news agencies (see entry 21:25, 20:58, and 20:18). "But I don't understand what it could look like, as he died in a hot war environment." It was previously stated that Russia could not investigate the death of Soldin as the conflict site was in Ukrainian-controlled area. The 32-year-old journalist was killed on May 9, 2023, during a report on the movement of Ukrainian soldiers near the contentious Ukrainian city, Bachmut.
21:51 Lavrov seeks partners in Africa.
According to Russian media reports, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow will dispatch more military equipment and tutors to Burkina Faso to enhance the west African nation's defense capabilities. Lavrov is on his ninth visit to Africa, part of a diplomatic campaign to form new connections. "Since our initial interactions immediately after the military coup in 2022, Russia and Burkina Faso have collaborated closely in all areas, including military and military-technical relations," quoted Russian news agency TASS, Lavrov. Russia acquires a partner to assist in military support who is not pro-war but also doesn't criticize it.
21:25 Putin foresees no fundamental change in US policy towards Russia after the election.
Russian President Vladimir Putin predicts no significant alteration in the USA's stance toward Russia after the US presidential elections. "For us, the outcome has no substantial relevance," Putin said during a media gathering (see entry 20:58, 20:18). Russia will work with the president chosen by the American people. Previously, Putin had preferred for incumbent President Joe Biden to maintain his position, as he's predictable. Putin also condemns the legal action against former President Donald Trump performing against Biden on November 5.
20:58 Putin reveals over 6,000 Ukrainians held captive in Russia.
Russian President Putin has asserted that more than 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers are in Russian custody after two years of invasion into their neighboring nation. The number surpasses that of Russian soldiers and officers in Ukrainian captivity. "Thirteen-hundred-forty-eight Ukrainians detained in Russia, while six-thousand-three-hundred-sixty-five Ukrainians are in custody in Ukraine," Putin stated during a meeting with execs from major international news agencies in St. Petersburg (see entry 20:18).
Ukraine holds 1,348 Russians, while Russia holds 6,365 Ukrainian prisoners. This data can't be independently verified. Putin, in response to a question about the casualty numbers in the war, says that no conflict party makes explicit pronouncements on this particular topic. However, the numbers resemble the prisoner count proportionately. He also affirms that Ukraine has suffered greater losses than Russia in the war. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian side emphasizes a larger number of Russian as opposed to their own soldiers who died in the battle.
20:18 Putin cautions against employing German weapons against Russian targets.
Putin offers a warning against using German weapons to target Russian sites, stating "Think twice about using those weapons against our targets. If you use them, you must answer for the consequences."
Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has issued a warning against using German weapons by Ukrainian forces against Russian targets. He made this statement during a meeting with representatives of prominent international news agencies in St. Petersburg, emphasizing that such attacks would be a risky move. Last year, Russia was taken aback by the delivery of German tanks to Ukraine. Putin comments, "If they now fire rockets at Russian soil, it will completely ruin the relationship between Russia and Germany." This event is occurring at the Lachta Center of natural gas giant Gazprom during the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is the first meeting of this scale since Russia's military conflict with Ukraine began.
Read also:
- Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on NATO for increased military support to counter the alleged cyberwar attacks originating from Russia.
- In response to the attack on Ukraine, Volodymyr Selenskyy has condemned Russia's military operations and repeatedly urged international bodies like the United Nations to take stronger action against Russia's aggression.
- The Ukraine conflict has raised concerns that Russia might use its cyberwar capabilities to disrupt critical infrastructure in NATO countries, leading some NATO countries to enhance their cybersecurity measures.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has continuously denied any involvement in cyberwar attacks against Ukraine and has accused Ukraine of fabricating such claims to discredit Russia's position in the Ukraine conflict.
