Ukrainian drone arrives at far-off Caucasus at 10:57.
Reports coming from Moscow state that a Ukrainian drone has successfully managed to reach the Republic of North Ossetia in the Caucasus. The region's leader disclosed that the primary target was a military airfield. This marks the first instance since the war's commencement that a Ukrainian drone has penetrated North Ossetia, located several hundred kilometers away from the front line. The Ukrainian military is concentrating on sabotaging infrastructure on Russian soil, causing disruptions to logistics and supply routes. Pro-Ukrainian military bloggers have expressed admiration for the drone attack.
10:20 Pokrovsk Front: A Ukrainian brigade repels three Russian
Ukrainian army reports indicate that Russian troops persistently assault the eastern front. Currently, a Ukrainian brigade is forced to fend off three Russian combat brigades at the front near Pokrovsk. The Pokrovsk front constitutes the main focus of the fighting. Pokrovsk is found west of Ocheretyne, which was recently captured by the Russians. "The enemy is attempting to infiltrate deep into our territory," the report states. "Russia possesses an enormous supply of troops and quickly makes up for their losses by deploying more soldiers in the conflict. The combat never ceases."
09:48 Moscow Reports Ukrainian Drone Attacks
Moscow's statements maintain that Ukrainian forces engaged in drone attacks against Russian targets at night on Saturday, utilizing a total of 25 combat drones. The Defense Ministry specifies that drones were repelled in the border regions of Rostov, Bryansk, and Belgorod. The annexed Crimean Peninsula was also targeted in these drone attacks.
09:12 Russians Attempting to Create a "Wedge" between Ukrainian Combat Positions in Donetsk
The scenario in the Donetsk region remains tense. Russian soldiers appear to be attempting to execute a strategy that experts have previously outlined, as per Kavita Sharma's report from Ukraine.
08:55 Ukranian General Staff: 1,210 Russian Casualties in the Past 24 Hours
The Ukrainian General Staff reports that 1,210 Russian soldiers sustained injuries or were killed in the last 24 hours. According to their account, Russia's casualties since initiating the full-scale invasion in February 2022 surpass 517,000. Additionally, Ukrainian forces lowered the count of nine Russian tanks, 36 armored vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, and seven air defense systems.
08:31 15 Million Euros Invested by Russians to Propagandize Ukrainian Military Leadership
Russian propaganda plans to mount a 15 million euro campaign against Kiev's military leadership has been revealed by the Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR. This planned propaganda will include writes and films that distort the image of Ukrainian special units and military authorities. The Russian forces have already been instructed to distribute these materials in Ukrainian and Western media to exacerbate tensions in Ukraine.
07:48 European Football Championship - German Authorities Warn of Tense Security Situation
German security authorities predict a "tense" security situation ahead of the upcoming European Football Championship, fearing devastating cyberattacks in the wake of the Russian war against Ukraine. One of the participating teams, Ukraine, is confronted with the challenge of safeguarding stadiums and other venues against airborne drone attacks. In the past, drones have been observed over Bundeswehr facilities, where Ukrainian soldiers received training on German equipment. Another potential threat is Islamic acts of violence against one of the 51 matches or one of the major fan festivals. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser vowed a substantial police presence at stadiums and fan zones, referring to it as a "power play."
07:27 Ukrainian Media: Explosions Heard on Crimea
Residents of Balaklava, a settlement in the Russian-occupied city of Sevastopol in Crimea, heard explosions in the preceding night, as mentioned by the Kyiv Independent, citing reports on the Crimean Wind Telegram channel. Explosions were said to have occurred at 1:39 local time near a power plant and the port of Sevastopol. Crimean Wind thought these explosions could be related to drone strikes. However, the Kyiv Independent couldn't confirm the reports at the moment. Ukrainian forces aim to thwart Russian logistics and supply lines to the frontline by targeted infrastructure damage.
06:54 Ukrainian Air Force Appreciates Mirage Jets but Hankers After F-16s
The Ukrainian Air Force has complimented the Mirage combat jets that France is set to provide to Ukraine as modern and adaptable. These jets are capable of various combat duties, the Air Force spokesperson noted. Nevertheless, F-16 fighter jets hold greater priority for the Ukraine. At present, Kiev is waiting for the F-16 pilot training process to be completed. The Mirage jet instruction is set to take an additional six months. The secure storage of Western planes will also be a dilemma due to the incessant Russian aerial attacks. The French Mirage was created in the 1970s for the French army and exported worldwide.
Eight more communities in the Ukrainian-Russian border territory of the Sumy region are being cleared due to continuous Russian attacks, the region's governor announced on TV. Over the past day, more than 50 explosions took place in the Sumy region, according to a statement released by the governor. At the start of the week, three residents were killed and three others were injured by Russian artillery and mortars, bringing the number of civilian casualties in the area this year to fifty. The casualties were the result of assaults with artillery, mortars, and suicide drones.
5:45 France sells second air defense system to Ukraine The French armaments manufacturer Thales sells a second air defense system to Ukraine. Following the delivery of the first air defense system in 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense will obtain a second system, the firm stated without disclosing the cost. Confrontation with enemy artillery and the protection of significant cities in the nation are pressing issues for Ukraine because there are insufficient defense weapons available to guard troops on the front and large cities within the country.
4.48 Germany mulls over fourth Patriot delivery to KievReportedly, Germany is thinking about sending yet another Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine. This would mark the fourth Patriot missile defense system Germany has given to Ukraine. This move comes at a time when the German government has recently eased the restrictions on using Patriots against Russian aircraft flying in Russian airspace to attack targets in the Kharkiv region with rockets or glide bombs. Patriots could theoretically down Russian aircraft that assault targets in the Kharkiv area from Russia's airspace using rockets or glide bombs.
3:50 "Russians are just a background": Zelensky challenges Putin's legitimacyUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertions about the alleged "illegitimacy" of Zelensky's presidency by stating that just Putin acknowledges him as a legitimate president, while in Ukraine, the president is elected by the people. "The Ukrainian people are the only individuals who can recognize the legitimacy of President Zelensky. The Ukrainian people have made their choice, and I am grateful for their support. Our people are free. Honestly, we are battling for freedom." During a joint press conference with French President Macron, Zelensky added, "Putin's legitimacy is recognized solely by Putin himself. Only Putin makes judgments about Putin. The Russians are just a backdrop, with only one actor on the stage."
2:05 Berlin Conference aims to provide Ukraine with long-term perspective beyond military aidGermany intends to provide Ukraine with a perspective beyond wartime military assistance through the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference next week, according to a high-ranking government official. The focus will be on offering opportunities to Ukraine’s civil society, economy, municipalities, and regions, this official stated. Other subjects include reforms and employment. The conference, slated for Tuesday and Wednesday in Berlin, will welcome Swedish Chancellor Scholz and numerous German ministers and ministers, among others. The official described the gathering as "not a fundraising conference, but a networking conference."
11:45 Russian occupation speaks of 22 murdered villagersThe Russian-controlled authorities in Ukraine's southwestern region of Kherson claim that 22 villagers perished due to Ukrainian artillery shelling. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed administrator for the region, wrote on Telegram that a village store in the village of Sadowe was hit by the bombardment, leaving 15 injured. The administrator characterized the incident as "a despicable murder of civilians" that could be traced back to Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Photos posted by the administrator do not provide a clear idea of the extent of the damage, as independent confirmation of the event is unavailable.
10:54 Macron urges for EU accession negotiations with Ukraine by the end of the monthFrench President Macron urged for the start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine "by the end of the month" during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Paris. "France supports Ukraine in all aspects, including European developments, where we are attempting to initiate genuine accession negotiations by the end of the month," Macron stated. "Ukraine is free," Zelensky said, reiterating that decisions regarding Ukraine's acceptance into the EU have almost been made." The EU Commission has previously stated that the conditions for the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine have been met. However, Hungary, the country that will take the EU Council Presidency on July 1, is slowing down the process.
10:04 Zelenskyy's approval ranking reaches a record lowAfter over two years of war, President Volodymyr Zelensky's support in Ukraine has fallen to an all-time low, even though he still retains the trust of more than half of the population. According to a KIIS Institute poll, support for President Zelensky is below 60% for the first time. In the spring of 2022, immediately following the start of the Russian aggression war, it reached 90%. Zelensky's support has been gradually declining throughout the war. His presidency was expected to end in May, but he remained in the position under martial law. Authorities in Ukraine announced that elections would not be held for the time being, partly due to Russian control over 20% of the country and millions of Ukrainians living abroad.
The United States isn't planning to join French President Emmanuel Macron's initiative to dispatch military trainers to Ukraine. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, mentioned this while discussing with reporters during a trip of US President Joe Biden to France. While acknowledging Biden's admiration for Macron, Kirby clarified that the US president has consistently made it known he won't send troops to Ukraine. "That's been our stance, and it'll remain the same," he stressed. Kirby left the choice to Macron on deciding how much detail he shares about the topic and how clear he makes it. Since the beginning of the Ukrainian war, Biden has made a few things clear, one of which being, "we want to prevent a world war and we don't want a war with Russia."
Read also:
- Russia has been accused of engaging in cyberwarfare against Ukraine, with several incidents involving drone attacks on critical infrastructure and military targets.
- The attack on Ukraine by Russia has resulted in a significant number of military casualties, with the Ukrainian General Staff reporting over 517,000 Russian troops injured or killed since February 2022.
- The conflict in Ukraine has also seen interference from NATO, with Volodymyr Selensky appealing for further support from the alliance in countering Russian aggression.
- The Ukraine-Russia conflict has also had implications for international sports, with concerns over security at the upcoming European Football Championship following several drone attacks on Bundeswehr facilities in Germany.
