Ukrainian military reports: 1210 Russian injuries or deaths recorded since yesterday.
Within the last 24 hours, as reported by the Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff, 1,210 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded. This raises Russia's own reported casualties to over 517,000 since their full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian army has also claimed to have destroyed nine Russian tanks, 36 armored vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, and seven air defense systems from their own account.
08:31 Ukraine: Russians scheme a €15 million propaganda campaign against Kiev's military leadershipAs per intelligence reports from HUR, a Ukrainian military intelligence service, Russia intends to launch a €15 million propaganda offensive against the Ukrainian military leadership. This entails creating negative publicity about Ukrainian special units and military leadership through articles and films. Russian soldiers have been instructed to share these pieces in Ukrainian and other Western media to aggravate domestic tensions in Ukraine.
07:48 EM Safety: German authorities warn of a tense security situation in Ukraine due to the EurosThe German security authorities view the situation as tense in relation to the upcoming European Football Championship, where Ukraine's team is participating. The primary concern is linked to potential cyberattacks as a result of Russia's ongoing military action against Ukraine. The defense of the stadiums and other areas hosting the event, along with the prevention of drone assaults from the air, are considered formidable obstacles. Authorities previously observed drones over German installations where Ukrainian soldiers were in training. Islamic terrorist attacks on one of the 51 games or major fan gatherings are also possible. The Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, commented on a substantial police presence at stadiums and fan zones, dubbing it a "show of strength."
07:27 Explosions in Crimea: Mysterious nighttime blasts in Sevastopol
Last night, Crimean Peninsula's Sevastopol experienced mysterious explosions, according to reports from the Kyiv Independent and the Telegram channel Crimean Wind. The first explosion allegedly took place near a power plant. Crimean Wind claims the explosions were preceded by the sound of heavy-caliber weapons, implying a possible drone attack. A second explosion supposedly took place near the port of Sevastopol. However, The Kyiv Independent could not confirm the reports. Ukrainian forces are endeavoring to hinder Russian logistics and reinforcements by targeting infrastructure.
06:54 Ukrainian Air Force celebrates Mirage jets, prioritizes F-16
The Ukrainian Air Force has commended the Mirage combat jets France plans to give to Ukraine as advanced and multifunctional. A spokesperson said the Mirages can carry out different combat missions. However, F-16 fighter jets are still top priority for Ukraine. The training of F-16 pilots is on-going, while further Mirage training is expected to take roughly another six months. The French Mirage was invented in the 1970s and provided to multiple countries throughout its lifespan.
06:30 Sumy: More evacuations due to daily Russian attacks
In the Sumy region's border area, eight additional settlements are being evacuated due to persistent Russian attacks. The Sumy governor's announcement was made on state television, with over 50 explosions reported from the Sumy region. At the beginning of the week, three people were killed, and three more were injured thanks to Russian shelling. This year, 50 civilians have been slain from artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drones in the area.
05:45 Ukraine: Thales sells another air defense system to UkraineThales, a French arms producer, is selling a second air defense system to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has agreed to buy this system, though the price has not been disclosed. The defense of Ukrainian troops and cities is currently at the forefront of Ukrainian security concerns, as there is insufficient air defense hardware available to protect them from aerial targets.
04:48 Germany: Discussing a fourth Patriot delivery to UkraineAccording to a Bloomberg report, Germany is considering furnishing a fourth Patriot missile protection system to Ukraine. This would be the fourth Patriot system that Germany donates. This moment coincides with the German government making it easier for the Patriots to target Russian aircraft coordinating rocket or glide bomb strikes on Ukrainian targets outside Russian airspace. With Patriots deployed, Ukraine could theoretically shoot down Russian aircraft attacking targets in the Kharkiv region.
In reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertions regarding the "inauthenticity" of Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency, the president of Ukraine counters that Putin is the only one perceiving the current Russian president as legitimate, whereas in Ukraine, the president is chosen by the people themselves. "The Ukrainian citizens hold the power to recognize President Zelensky's legitimacy. The Ukrainian populace has made their selection, and I am gracious for their backing. Our people are free. Honest to goodness, we are fighting for this." At a press conference alongside French President Macron, Zelensky noted, "Comrade Putin's legitimacy is acknowledged solely by Comrade Putin himself. Only Putin chooses Putin. The inhabitants of Russia serve as a backdrop, showcasing just a single actor."
02:05 Berlin Conference: Delivering Prospects for Ukraine Beyond Military Aid
Germany intends to provide Ukraine with solid prospects on military aid through the ensuing Ukraine Reconstruction Conference next week. It's about exploring alternatives for civil society, the economy, municipalities, and regions, articulates a senior official of the German government. Other issues include reforms and work. At the conference from Tuesday to Wednesday in Berlin, apart from Chancellor Scholz and various German ministers and ministers, a prominent Ukraine delegation is expected. The gathering is "not a fundraising conference, but a networking conference," states a German government official.
00:45 Russian Occupation: 22 Killed Villagers
As per the Russian-led administration, 22 individuals were killed in a Ukrainian shelling of a village occupied by Russia in the southern region of Kherson. The Russian-designated administrator for the region, Vladimir Saldo, documents on Telegram that a village store filled with individuals was struck. Another 15 individuals sustained injuries. The administrator expresses indignation over a "despicable killing of civilians" that was made possible by Western weapon delivery to Ukraine. His post contains images that do not provide a clear notion of the magnitude of the situation. No independent verifications of the incident exist.
23:45 Macron Urges EU Membership Negotiations with Ukraine "This Month's End"
French President Macron advocates for EU membership negotiations with Ukraine "by the end of the month." "France backs Ukraine in all aspects, even at the European level, where we're attempting to instigate a real commencement of membership negotiations by month's end," Macron expressed at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Paris. "There are EU integration decisions concerning Ukraine that are nearly implemented," claims Zelensky. Previously, the EU Commission had already communicated that it sees the prerequisites for the initiation of membership negotiations with Ukraine met. The same applies to the neighboring country of Moldova. Nevertheless, Hungary, slated to assume the EU Council presidency on July 1, obstructs these plans.
22:54 Zelenskyy's Approval Faces an All-Time Low
Following more than two years of war, President Zelenskyy's support in Ukraine plummeted to an all-time low - yet he still garners the trust of over half of the populace. According to a survey by the Institute of Sociology, Zelenskyy's approval rating among the people dropped below 60%. In May 2022, shortly after the advent of Russian hostilities, the figure reached 90%. Zelenskyy's position has been plummeting steadily throughout the war. His term was meant to conclude in May, but as a result of martial law, he maintained his role as president. Per Ukrainian authorities, no elections are planned in the interim due to 20% of the territory being under Russian control, and numerous Ukrainians having exited abroad.
22:04 US Refuses to Join Macron's Proposal
The US government plans no partaking in French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to dispatch military trainers to Ukraine. National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby elucidated at the side of US President Joe Biden's visit to France that Biden upholds Macron's stance. However, the US president has been steadfast about not sending American soldiers there. "That's been the case so far," Kirby highlighted, "[and] that will continue to be the case." Biden left the specifics concerning how much information Macron discloses or the amount of lucidity he offers to the latter's discretion. Biden himself has conveyed several points since the inception of Ukraine's conflict, including "we don't want a third world war and we don't want a war with Russia."
Read also:
- Amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict, NATO officials have discussed potential cyberwarfare threats originating from Russia, as military operations continuously intensify.
- President Volodymyr Selensky of Ukraine addressed global leaders, asserting that Russia solely perceives him as legitimate, while in Ukraine, the president is elected by the people themselves.
- Due to the escalating Ukraine conflict and the ongoing Russian military action, German authorities warn about potential cyberattacks targeting the European Football Championship in Ukraine.
- Following Russia's attack on Ukraine, Nato has expressed its support for the Ukrainian military, with training programs for Ukrainian forces becoming increasingly important in their effort to counter Russian aggression.
