Ukrainian governor disputes Moscow's claims: strike on Luhansk targeted military facilities
A Ukrainian assault on the Russian-controlled metropolis of Luhansk has been noted, as per the governor of Luhansk, Artem Lyssohor. The attack allegedly targeted barracks, depots on the previous military aviation school's grounds in the east of the city, and a fuel storage center. The Russians claim that at least three civilians were killed and more than 30 were harmed, though these reports cannot be independently verified. Lyssohor assigns all civilian causalities to utilize of Russian aerial defense methods. The Russians say that they intercepted four of the five rockets fired. This, too, is unverifiable. The Russian Defense Ministry accuses Ukraine of deliberately targeting domestic zones in Luhansk.
Vladimir Putin wants to decrease Russia's dependency on the West, as declared by the Russian president at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. He emphasized the need for reducing imports, favoring non-Western currencies, and expanding domestic economic sectors. Trade with Asia is currently increasing, with almost 40% of Russian foreign business being conducted in rubles. In contrast, transactions conducted in US dollars, Euros, and other Western currencies are declining. He indicated that Russia would try to increase the share of transactions in the currencies of BRICS nations. The BRICS nations comprise of countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Putin highlighted that the fraction of Russian exports paid in 'toxic' currencies from hostile states was halved out of the previous year.
The Russians have reported the seizure of an additional settlement in Donetsk's eastern Ukrainian area. The settlement, named Paraskoviyiwka, is situated approximately 25km southwest of the city Donetsk, which Moscow had seized in 2022. Russian forces have seized multiple settlements since the start of 2023, with their positioning along the front line advancing.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's Secretary-General, said that as per international law, Ukraine can resist attacks on military locations in Russia for self-protection. "Ukraine has a right to self-defense." This encompasses assaulting acceptable military objectives on the territory of the aggressors, Russia.
US President Joe Biden declared a multi-million-dollar military assistance package for Ukraine worth $225 million (€207 million) during a face-to-face conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Paris. Both are currently undergoing multi-day transits to France. The package includes ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, rockets for Hawk anti-aircraft systems, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and artillerymen ammunition of 155 and 105 millimeters. The US government has primarily been focused on reinforcing Ukraine's air defense and providing ammunition following a sustained interruption of deliveries.
Moscow has charged Kyiv with an aerial bombardment of a Russian-governed eastern Ukrainian city, Luhansk. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations disclosed that they are dealing with fatalities and injuries due to the Ukrainian assault. There is discord regarding the numbers of wounded, with some sources reporting 22 or 35 people wounded, including children. Leonid Pasetschnik, the Russian-appointed head of the region, attributed the violence toward 'Ukrainian nationalists,' who conducted a 'massive rocket strike' on Luhansk's civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian party retaliated with at least six ATACMS rockets, according to the Russians. Four of these were intercepted by Russian air defense systems, while the remaining one struck two dwellings. More details can be found here.
"Der Spiegel" alleges that Germany requires many more soldiers because the NATO strategy is overworked. The magazine cites confidential documents from the Defense Ministry, proposing 75,000 female and male soldiers as supplemental personnel. They are based on NATO meeting in Vilnius last year. The NATO strategy sets out how to respond in case of a Russian attack. The German Defense Ministry has not yet responded. Currently, the Bundeswehr employs 180,000 soldiers and soldiers and 80,000 non-military personnel.
Ukraine and Moldova are anticipated to meet all necessary conditions for initiating talks about joining the European Union, according to an EU Commission evaluation. This was communicated to EU member state representatives in Brussels, diplomats informed. Both countries are reported to have resolved open issues in March. For Ukraine, this involved measures to safeguard national minorities and limit political influence by oligarchs. Germany previously confirmed at the end of May that it believes all the prerequisites for initiating EU accession negotiations with Ukraine have been fulfilled. Read more here.
13:20 Biden expresses apologies to Zelensky for delays in weapon delivery
US President Joe Biden offers an apology to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the extended delay in weapons shipments from the US. He also seeks pardon for the continued doubt about the future support, Biden said during a meeting with Zelensky in Paris. Both are currently on multi-day trips to France. Concerning the extended blockade of US financial aid for Kiev, Biden stated that some extremely conservative parliamentarians hindered the bill's approval. However, the problem has now been resolved. The US president guaranteed Zelensky that the United States would not abandon Kiev. Ukraine serves as a barrier against Russian aggression, and the US possesses a responsibility to support Kiev. Read more here.
12:50 Moscow implicates US in deaths of civilians in Russia
Russia has for the first time blamed the US for the death of civilians in Russia via weapons sent to Ukraine. Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, claimed Ukraine had used weapons provided by the US in the past week for strikes in the border region of Belgorod. By making statements that approve such attacks, the US is confessing to the "murder of women and children in the Belgorod area," the spokeswoman asserted. "Fragments of HIMARS rockets will serve as direct proof," she added. This allegation was made following warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin that the West risks global conflict by allowing Ukraine to target Russian territory with weapons provided by the US.
12:11 Immediate success of Western weapons against military targets in Russia: Expert
Christian Mölling, a security expert, sees immediate success after the decision that Ukraine can also target military targets in Russia with Western weapons. Mölling, the research director of the German Council on Foreign Relations, states in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation" that the Ukrainian forces have regained the upper hand due to being authorized to attack targets on Russian territory. "It improves the situation immediately and brings Ukrainian troops to the forefront," Mölling says. He also poses the question of where "one is still on the brakes" and therefore holds responsibility for the casualties, suffering, and destroyed infrastructure. The principle is that military targets can be attacked, or otherwise, a "safe haven for the aggressor is created, which is incredibly perverted."
11:44 Zelensky: "Hitler crossed borders. Putin does the same"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns of an extension of the Russian war of aggression. "In the 1930s, Hitler crossed one border after another. Putin is doing exactly the same thing," says Zelensky to the deputies of the French National Assembly. "We are already seeing how the aggression is spreading to the Baltic States, Poland, and the Balkans." The Russian leadership intends to destabilize Europe, adds Zelensky. Russian President Vladimir Putin utilizes "the arsenal of the last century", sea blockades, and the large-scale abduction of children to re-educate them, describes the Ukrainian President.
11:14 US soldier on trial in Russia
In Russia, the trial against a US soldier starts. State news agency RIA Novosti reports that the 34-year-old Gordon Black has agreed to testify in the trial in Vladivostok and respond to the charges. The man had traveled to the city to visit his partner. He was arrested after she accused him of theft. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. The case adds to the already strained relations between the US and Russia, with Russia currently holding several Americans in detention, including Paul Whelan and "Wall Street Journal" reporter Evan Gershkovich. For both men, the US claims they are being unlawfully detained.
10:44 Moscow merges occupied Ukrainian areas to create a new federal district
Russia may soon consolidate the Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine into a new federal district. What this signifies and what the deployment of more warships to Cuba implies are discussed by ntv correspondent Rainer Munz.
Russia accuses Ukraine of using US rockets to hit civilian targets within its territory. The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, holds Ukraine responsible for the deaths of women and children in the Belgorod region. Remnants of the Himars rockets will serve as evidence for these events.
09:55 Ukraine Charges Russian General with Pre-meditated Murder
The Ukraine is charging Russian General Oleg Makarevich, previously the commander of the Dnieper Group, with premeditated murder and violating the laws of war. The prosecutors and SBU accuse him of ordering the destruction of the Kakhovka dam on June 6, 2023, which resulted in a devastating flood in the Kherson region. If found guilty, the general faces a life sentence. "The SBU is making every effort to identify and bring to justice all those involved in crimes against Ukraine," says the statement from the secret service.
09:25 Multiple Russian Attempts to Break Through Defense
Air raid alarms sound in numerous parts of Ukraine, with both Odessa and Kyiv experiencing Russian air raids. The situation in Donetsk is described as "tense." Although pilot training for the promised combat aircraft is slowing down, the current conflict has become difficult for Russia.
08:59 Dozens of Drones Intercepted
The Ukrainian authorities claim to have stopped all five rockets fired by Russia. Of the 53 launched drones, 48 have been shot down, according to the authorities. These drones were used in the Kiev region and targeted Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, South Odessa, and Kherson. The energy infrastructure remained untouched, and no casualties were reported.
08:26 Historian Winkler Warns of Losing Ukraine
Historian Heinrich August Winkler cautions against rigid adherence to the debt brake, which he sees as a security risk for Germany. "If an escalation in Ukraine occurs, it would be detrimental if we had to say: We preserved the debt brake and lost Ukraine. This would be dangerous for European peace and the freedom of European democracies," warns Winkler in Süddeutsche Zeitung. "We need to cooperate with other NATO members and increase our conventional arms efforts considerably. The debt brake should not stand in the way of this," highlights the historian. "We cannot maintain a leading role in terms of domestic politics vis-à-vis Russia."
07:54 Swiss President Welcomes Possibility of Follow-up Conference with Russia
Swiss President Viola Amherd anticipates that the peace conference organized by her country in mid-June will only be the start of further negotiations. "It's clear that we won't conclude a peace agreement at the end of the conference," Amherd tells the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." Amherd believes that for peace to occur, both parties must be present at the table. "There could be a follow-up conference where Russia could participate," the Swiss president says. Almost 80 countries have committed to participating, including Germany with its Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Russia, however, hasn't responded to the invitation, nor has it sent representatives.
07:31 Several German Companies Plan Investments in Ukraine
Several German companies in Ukraine are considering expanding their business activities in the war-torn country. According to a survey conducted by the German-Ukrainian Industry and Trade Chamber (AHK Ukraine), 43% of the surveyed companies want to continue operating in Ukraine, while 8% plan to disinvest. KPMG questioned 142 companies. Critical factors for expanding business include political and economic stability, public funding, and guarantees. About 42% of the companies anticipate an improvement in Ukraine's economic situation in the next 12 months. Forty-eight percent foresee no change, and 10% fear a worsening situation.
07:02 NGOs Submit Report on Russian Propagandists to the International Criminal Court
The International Federation for Human Rights, Center for Civil Liberties, and Kharkiv Human Rights Group have submitted a report to the International Criminal Court, accusing Russian propagandists of inciting hatred against Ukrainians. Five Russian propagandists are accused: Vladimir Solovyov, Margarita Simonyan, Dmitry Kiselyov, Sergei Mardan, Dmitry Medvedev, and Alexei Gromov, the first deputy head of the Russian Presidential Administration. The Center for Civil Liberties says that all of them "clearly promoted violence." Previously, the International Criminal Court had issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, who were accused of forced Ukrainian child deportations to Russia.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has promised to expand Russia's war economy after more than two years of attacking Ukraine. This news was shared by the first deputy prime minister, Denis Manturov, during the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He said that Putin has issued instructions to boost the defense sector by producing more weapons and ammunition. At this event, where defense was the main focus, attendees stated that Russia manufactures weapons and ammunition quickly and at a fourth of the price of the western countries. Russia is now preparing for a war economy that could last for a century. The defense industry has seen a massive expansion with over 850 companies, including private sector ones. Economic expert Pyotr Fradkov, the chairman of Promsvyazbank, described the military-industrial complex as the driving force behind the economy.
05:59 NATO members are frustrated with Germany due to their reluctance to use the phrase "NATO Mission Ukraine" in relation to their support project for Ukraine. This decision is seen as a favor to the Russians, who might perceive it as an act of aggression. Germany doesn't want to seem like they are sending soldiers to Ukraine, fearing this would lead to Russian propaganda against NATO. Those in favor of the term "mission" believe that not using it will provide the Kremlin with an excuse for spreading misinformation. The German government is the only one to express this concern, leading some to question why they are not fully supporting the project.
05:10 The Russia expert Gerhard Mangott criticizes the upcoming Ukraine conference in Switzerland for lacking significant representation. The absence of important nations such as China, Brazil, or South Africa diminishes its importance. The prospect of a future conference is already being discussed. The absence of the United States, which will send Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in place of President Joe Biden, is puzzling to many, including Mangott.
03:02 Russia has launched drones and cruise missiles towards different parts of Ukraine. Air attacks are reported in Odessa and Kiev. The powergrid operator Ukrenergo has announced that power outages are imminent in twelve regions, affecting areas like Kiev, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv.
01:55 Ukraine will receive a new military package worth approximately $225 million from the USA. This package will include ammunition for the HIMARS system, mortar systems, and artillery shells that can be used against targets beyond Ukraine's borders to defend Kharkiv from a heavy Russian attack. President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris.
00:54 There are several power outages across Ukraine, in places like Lviv, Zakarpattia, Odessa, Kiev, and Kharkiv. The Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo revealed that consumption limits have been reached. The current situation also includes damage to infrastructure from Russian attacks on power supply facilities.
23:30 The USA has placed a travel ban on several Georgians to punish them for passing the "foreign influence" law. Those affected by these restrictions include members of the Georgian Dream party, parliamentarians, and security service members and their relatives. Washington announced this move earlier. Protests against this law drew tens of thousands of people in Georgia, demonstrating its similarities to the 2012 Russian law that limits the actions of media and organizations deemed foreign agents.
22:13 Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a World War II Soviet riflewoman, was a profound sniper credited with killing 309 Nazi soldiers. While her accomplishments and influence were recognized in Ukraine, she was also celebrated in Russia. Her portrayal by Georgia's opposing force further divides the two nations. In a recent photograph, Pavlichenko was shown alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the near future, Ukraine's occupied territories may become part of a new federal district. This news comes from Yevhen Balizkyi, a Russian governor who operates in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia. Russia took control of Ukraine's Crimea and parts of the Donbass region back in 2014 through illegal annexation. The full-scale war began in February 2022, leading to Moscow's occupation of additional Ukrainian regions, including Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.
7:48 p.m.: Energy Shortage: Ukrenergo Cuts Power in Kiev and Other Ukrainian Regions
Ukraine's power grid operator, Ukrenergo, is shutting off power in Kiev and twelve other regions of the country tonight. The public company made this announcement on Facebook, as reported by Ukrinform. The affected areas include Volhynia, Donetsk, Zhytomyr, Transcarpathia, Saporizhzhia, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Odessa, Rivne, Kharkiv, and the city of Kiev itself.
6:47 p.m.: Zelenskyy Expected to Speak in the Bundestag on Tuesday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Berlin, according to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He is also anticipated to deliver a speech in the Bundestag. During the upcoming week, a reconstruction conference for Ukraine will take place in Berlin, organized by the Foreign Office. There had been speculation that Zelenskyy would travel to attend this event. However, his visit would not be his first trip to Berlin since the start of the war; instead, it marks his first time speaking before the Bundestag in person. For this occasion, German lawmakers would need to gather for a special meeting.
6:36 p.m.: Macron: France is Providing Mirage-2000 Fighter Jets to Ukraine
France is donating Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine. "These fighter jets enable Ukraine to safeguard its territory and airspace," said French President Emmanuel Macron during an interview with French TV broadcasters. He also revealed that 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers will receive training.
5:01 p.m.: Zelenskyy Marks the Anniversary of the Dam Collapse in Southern Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commemorates the first anniversary of the dam collapse in southern Ukraine. "Exactly a year ago, the Russian invaders destroyed the dam and the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant's buildings," he shared on his social media platforms. He called the act "one of the most significant environmental crimes committed by the Russian occupiers since they invaded Ukraine." Thousands of people were negatively impacted, Zelenskyy stated, due to the flooding caused by the dam explosion. The water supply was disrupted for hundreds of thousands of individuals. "The immediate effects of this crime were even felt in the neighboring countries of Ukraine's Black Sea region," he added.
Read also:
- The attack on Luhansk, as reported by Governor Lyssohor, was a military operation by Ukraine and targeted various military facilities, including barracks, depots, and a fuel storage center.
- In response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, NATO's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, stated that under international law, Ukraine has the right to defend itself against attacks on their military locations.
- As part of their response to the Ukraine conflict, the United States announced a $225 million military aid package for Ukraine, which will include ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, rockets for Hawk anti-aircraft systems, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and 155 and 105 millimeter artillerymen ammunition.
- In an effort to decrease Russia's dependency on the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been promoting the increased use of non-Western currencies and the expansion of domestic economic sectors, with a focus on increasing transactions in the currencies of BRICS nations.
