Ukrainian military reports continued progression in Serebryansk forest region.
Militaries report advance in Serebrjansky Forest, Luhansk region, with brigades "Asov" and "Burewij" pushing one kilometre deep and two kilometers wide. This info came from the Ukrainian armed forces' Telegram page. Previously, the "Asov" brigade announced that Russian forces had lost their positions in this area.
Trump jests Zelensky as "best salesman" at Detroit rally, confirming rejection of Ukrainian aid. He jokingly claimed that Zelensky demanded "60 billion" every time and called him the greatest salesperson of all time.
Kremlin advises Ukrainian leadership to "think carefully" about Putin's proposal for troop withdrawal from the east and south, aiming to pave the way for peace talks. Kremlin spokesman Peskov murmured that the ongoing conflict indicates it's getting worse for Ukraine, suggesting that a selfless politician would consider such a proposal. Moscow earlier suggested a truce and peace talks, contingent upon Ukraine relinquishing its partially occupied territories in the east and south and renouncing NATO membership.
Zelensky conditioned peace talks on Russian troop withdrawal. "Russia can start negotiations with us tomorrow, without any prerequisites, if it withdraws from our legal territories," he said at the end of the Ukraine conference in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. He added, however, "Russia and its leadership are not ready for a just peace."
von der Leyen perceives no genuine intention from Putin to end the war. The conference was appropriately named "Way to Peace," as peace would not be achieved overnight, she said. Russian President Vladimir Putin lacks sincerity in resolving the conflict, preferring capitulation and occupation of Ukrainian territory, von der Leyen stated.
Zelensky announced plans for another international conference, establishing special groups to work on "Peace Plans." Once these plans were prepared, the way would be clear for a second summit, he said.
Zelensky proposed a swift second summit, with preparations taking months rather than years. Some countries had already signaled their readiness to host such a summit. For Russian participation, Von der Leyen stipulated their recognition of the UN Charter. In the final declaration, no mention of a follow-up conference was made. Swiss President Amherd acknowledged the diverse perspectives and starting positions at the conference. However, she noted that for the first time, a high-ranking, broadly supported conference spoke about a peace process.
The summit declaration warned against the use of atomic weapons. Any threat or use of atomic weapons or their deployment in the war against Ukraine was deemed unacceptable. Nuclear energy use and atomic installations must be secure, protected, monitored, and environmentally friendly. Ukrainian nuclear power plants and installations, including the Saporischschja Atomic Power Plant, must be under Ukrainian control and adhere to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) principles and supervision.
A bystander recorded a drone strike in the Belgorod region of Russia, where a Ukrainian suicide drone hit a Russian army truck. Though no casualties were reported, attacks are on the rise. The governor reported over 50 air strikes on Saturday alone.
The declaration signatories demanded the return of all prisoners of war and unlawfully deported Ukrainian children and civilians. Food security should not be used as a weapon, they insisted, with free and secure shipping and access to seaports in the Black and Azov Seas being crucial. Attacks on cargo ships, ports, and port infrastructure are unacceptable, Swiss President Viola Amherd stressed.
15:17 Including All Parties in Peace Talks: Majority at Ukraine Conference Suggests Russia's InvolvementIn the Switzerland conference on Ukraine, the majority of participants indicate that Russia should be included in future peace negotiations. The closing statement emphasizes: "We believe inclusivity and dialogue between all parties are essential for achieving peace." However, no definitive plans for a follow-up conference have been mentioned in the declaration. Previously, various conference participants, such as Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, had advocated for Russia's inclusion in future conferences.Notably, both Russia and China were absent from the Swiss meeting. The primary objective of the conference is to identify a global platform for potential peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia. For more details, visit here.
15:02 Ukraine Peace Summit Concludes in Disagreement: Not All Parties Endorse DeclarationThe peace summit declarative statement is not universally supported by all participant countries. Only 80 out of 93 participating states have endorsed the document. The declaration stresses that the UN Charter and "respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty" would form the foundation for "a comprehensive, fair, and lasting peace in Ukraine." It additionally delves into topics such as nuclear security, food security, and prisoner exchange. Of the countries that did not endorse the declaration, six are members of the G20: Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, India, and Indonesia. Moreover, Armenia, Bahrain, Thailand, Libya, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia, and the Vatican did not sign the declaration.
14:53 CDU Politician Calls for Halt to Cash Aid for Ukrainian Refugees: "Awrong incentives set"Thorsten Frei, leader of the Union faction in the German Bundestag, argues for the termination of cash aid for Ukrainian refugees. "The cash payments to Ukrainian refugees are setting the wrong incentives," says Frei to Funke Media Group. While it is significant in helping Ukraine amidst Russian aggression, many able-bodied Ukrainians have been remaining hidden. It is understood that the country requires weapons and soldiers, not merely financial assistance. Frei also proposes modifying the methods of cash aid distribution for Ukrainian women, attributing the abnormally low number of Ukrainian women seeking employment in Germany to the aid.
14:17 Russian Control of Village in Southern Ukraine: Sagrine LiberatedThe Russian Defense Ministry announces that units from the Eastern Military District have taken control of the Sagrine settlement in the Saporischja region. "Our forces have taken control of the settlement and established advantageous positions," the Russian Defense Ministry says. For months, the Russian army has primarily been advancing in the east of Ukraine without significant breakthroughs. Prior to capturing Sagrine, Russia reported the takeover of three villages in the east, south, and north-east of Ukraine in the previous week. On May 10, the Russian army launched an offensive in the north-east of Ukraine and captured several locations before their advance was stopped by reinforced Ukrainian troops.
13:50 Putin Rules out Talks with Ukraine: Credibility Guarantees Necessary for NegotiationsAccording to Russian sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not outrightly ruled out talks with Ukraine. Nevertheless, Russian media quotes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as stating that guarantees are essential to ensure the credibility of potential negotiations. A few days ago, Putin made a supposed peace offering, which many observers view as akin to capitulation and would grant Russia large portions of Ukraine's territory. Critics argue the offer is flawed, for example, to influence the Switzerland conference. Kiev immediately dismissed the supposed offer.
13:23 Trubetskoy on War Solutions: "Negotiations with Moscow are out of reach"While representatives from 92 countries were discussing a peace plan for Ukraine at the Swiss Bernstein Conference Center, fighting continued in Ukraine. Ukrainian journalist Dennis Trubetskoy discusses the slim chances of a peaceful resolution and the positions of Zelensky and Putin in an ntv interview.
12:49 Likely Divisive Final Declaration of Ukraine Conference in SwitzerlandAccording to Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the final declaration of the Ukraine conference in Switzerland is unlikely to receive unanimous support. Some countries have reservations regarding the declaration's wording, Nehammer tells journalists at the Bernstein Conference Center. There is interest in organizing a follow-up conference on Ukraine. However, it is too early to specify the conference format. Additionally, it remains to be seen whether Russia will be able to participate. Prior to Russia's involvement, there may be an interim conference, according to Nehammer.
12:23 Ukrainian Soldiers: "No desire to 'play with the beast'" regarding Putin's Peace OfferPutin declares that Russia is ready for a ceasefire and peace talks with Ukraine under certain conditions. Ukraine categorically rejects the offer, seeing it as a concession. But what about the soldiers who risk their lives daily at the front?
12:02 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Praises Declaration of Ukraine Conference in SwitzerlandUkrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tells journalists at Bürgenstock that the declaration of the Ukraine conference in Switzerland is complete, "balanced," and took the positions of the Kiev government into account. No alternative peace plans were discussed during the summit. Ukraine will not tolerate Russia using the language of ultimatums.
New Tax Increases in Russia Predicted to Fund War Efforts
Recently imposed tax hikes in Russia are reportedly destined to fund the escalating financial burdens, including the battle in Ukraine, according to British intel. The heightened corporate tax rate from 20% to 25% will generate additional revenue for the Kremlin, equivalent to $29 billion by 2025. New tax categories will be implemented, and the highest tax rate of 15% will surge to 22% within the new tax structure. Such tax burden for companies may hinder future investments and the growth of non-military sectors, warns British intel.
Peace Conference in Ukraine: Nuclear Security and Beyond
The ongoing Ukraine conference in Switzerland convened discussions today, focusing on nuclear security, export of grains from Ukraine, and humanitarian concerns such as the fate of abducted Ukrainian children by Russia. A draft declaration is to incorporate the outcome of these discussions. An afternoon press conference is scheduled for the meeting's second day, comprising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and others. The purpose of the conference is to initiate a peace process, with Russia's eventual integration long-term. Despite Moscow's non-invitation and disinterest, the session proceeded in their absence.
Putin's Dummy in Ukraine Dishes out Weird Rant
Historian Matthäus Wehewski, from the Hannah-Arendt Institute for Totalitarianism Research, considers it foolish to entertain the notion that Putin intends to compromise or negotiate. As an example, Wehewski references Viktor Medvedchuk, chief of the "Another Ukraine" movement: "Medvedchuk's subsequent phase of Putin's peace proposal involves an 'Interview' with Medvedchuk, who is already a Putin's puppet in Ukraine. In the TASS propaganda outlet's interview, Medvedchuk spouts absurd lies like denying Zelenskyy's representation of Ukraine's people's interests. He also suggests the 'liberation of Odessa and other cities' as Russia's and the Ukrainian people's shared objective. Medvedchuk repeats prevalent Kremlin narratives, discussing complete denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine. Historian Wehewski asserts that the "Another Ukraine" groups are former pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians. 'Putin has already fabricated an alternative Ukrainian government, which he intends to negotiate with over Ukraine's dismemberment and political/cultural subjugation. This strategy was used by Stalin in 1939/40 against the Baltic countries and Finland.'"
Swiss Conference Excludes Russia: German Chancellor Scholz Addresses Core Issue
The Swiss conference centered on establishing peace in Ukraine involves key players. This time, Russia did not attend the event. ntv-Reporter Jürgen Weichert clarified, "Russia was not snubbed as they did not receive an invitation."
Ukraine Documents High Casualties of Russian Troops
Ukraine persistently discloses high fatalities on the Russian side, fewer than the casualties reported after the start of the Kremlin's offensive at the new third front in the Kharkiv region in May. Approximately 1160 soldiers were reportedly eradicated within the past day. Additionally, six armored fighting vehicles and 58 artillery artillery pieces have been destroyed. However, there were no reports of destroyed tanks according to the provided information. The figures haven't been independently verified.
Ukraine Still Awaiting the Majority of the $61 Billion Aid Package from the USA
According to the First Deputy Ukrainian Defense Minister, General-Lieutenant Ivan Havriljuk, Ukraine is yet to receive the majority of the $61 billion support package from the USA. Although a limited portion has arrived in the country, it has alleviated the scarcity of artillery ammunition. The advantage of Russian forces in available shells is said to have decreased from seven to one to five to one. However, until sufficient Western aid significantly impacts the battlefield, it may still take several weeks or months, according to Havriljuk.
Ukraine's Coal Power Plants on the Mend
Due to Russian attacks, coal power plant capacity has diminished from 5 Gigawatts to 500 Megawatts, posing a severe threat to the upcoming heating season for Ukraine. Efforts to restore power plants and get back some capacity are ongoing. However, turbines, generators, and other essential components are challenging to obtain. "This year, we might find a temporary solution. We might source material from power plants built in countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece during the Soviet era," said Dmytro Sakharuk from the Ukrainian energy conglomerate DTEK in an interview with ntv.de. "This is the quickest way to restore at least part of our power generation capacity. Of course, the material doesn't always fit. Our power plant blocks will be Frankenstein units."
23:56 Insufficient Defense for Germany? Cybersecurity Analyst Predicts Germany Unprepared for Hybrid AssaultsCybersecurity analyst Christian Dörre predicts Germany to be inadequately equipped to counter foreign misinformation campaigns and cyberattacks. "Unfortunately, we're not well-prepared when it comes to hybrid threats," states the researcher at the Hasso-Plattner-Institute (HPI) in Potsdam. "The past two years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have shown that we as a society are unprepared and, in part, ineffective when it comes to hybrid threats - starting from manipulated information and fake news all the way to attacks on our infrastructure."
06:57 Tense Condition in Ukraine - Ukrainian General Staff Reports on Multiple AttacksAs per information from the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian forces have increased their activities in the Wremiwka sector threefold. This area lies between the cities of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Russian forces are reportedly attacking the front lines in the regions of Vodjane, Uroschajne, and Staromajorsk ten times. "The situation is tense. Measures are being taken to restore equilibrium."
06:07 Alleged Victory? Ukrainians Claim Seizure of Russian PositionsAs per statements by the Ukrainian Asow Brigade on social media, Russian invaders have lost positions in the Serebryansky Forest. Swjatoslaw Palamar, deputy commander of the 12th Brigade of the Asow National Guard, confirmed this statement. Nasar Woloschin, a spokesperson for the Chortyzja grouping, also confirmed it: "Our defense forces are storming the enemy's positions and pushing back Russian defensive lines and firing positions. We are also executing counterattacks, seizing their firing positions on tactical levels and expelling them from their lines." Military-affiliated news channel Deepstate has also recently reported on advances. The front line in the Luhansk region is situated in the Serebryansky Forest.
05:24 Internal Minister Conference Chief Criticizes Financial Aid for Ukrainian Refugees in GermanyThe chairman of the Interior Minister Conference, Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stübgen, supports his Bavarian colleague's demand to cease providing benefits to war-fleeing Ukrainians residing in Germany. Stübgen states, "It doesn't make sense to commit to supporting Ukraine as much as possible and yet financially support flag-fleeing Ukrainians at the same time." Stübgen believes that the immediate provision of benefits to refugees from Ukraine has been a grave mistake. "The employment rate of Ukrainians is extremely low due to the presence of financial benefits serving as an obstacle to gaining employment." The federal government is urged to reconsider its strategy.
03:55 Ukraine Summit without US President - Biden has Prior EngagementsAlthough the G7 Summit in Italy was close by, US President Biden did not travel to the Ukraine Conference in Switzerland, like other G7 participants. Instead, Biden was flying back to the USA to take part in a gala dinner with celebrities such as Julia Roberts and George Clooney to boost his campaign funding. In his place, US Vice President Kamala Harris attended the Ukraine Summit.
02:50 von der Leyen: Peace must restore Ukraine's territorial integrityAccording to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the current situation on the battlefield should not be sustained. "Maintaining the conflict today while foreign forces occupy Ukrainian territory is not the solution," she says at the Ukraine Summit in Switzerland. "It's a plan for future aggression." Instead, the summit participants must support a comprehensive, fair, and permanent peace for Ukraine. This peace must restore Ukraine's autonomy and territorial integrity.
01:28 Preparing for Emergencies: Latvia Conducts Emergency Response ExercisesIn Latvia, a nationwide civil defense awareness day called "Empowered with Knowledge" took place. In 14 cities and municipalities, the population was taught in workshops how to act during emergency situations. Instructions were given on first aid, stockpiling emergency supplies, and handling explosive objects, radiation, or chemical hazards. This aims to boost civil defense in the face of Russia's hostility in Ukraine. "We all need to understand our role, our contribution, to ensure that as a society, as a country, and as individuals, we know how to act during a crisis situation," says Defense Minister Andris Spruds. It's crucial to inform the public about what to do during hour X.
00:54 Zelenskyy: Russia Fires Approximately 3,500 Rockets at Civilian Targets Every MonthUkrainian President Zelenskyy states that Russia fires around 3,500 rockets at civilian targets and Ukrainian infrastructure every month. In an interview with the Italian television channel Sky TG24, Zelenskyy asserts that the rockets are only used against civilian targets to force people to abandon cities and villages, paving the way for Russian occupation. Russia is lying if it claims to be targeting military objectives only.
22:12 East Ukraine casualties: Exceptional civilian deaths, injuries from Russian artillery fire:Ukrainian authorities claim that instances of civilian fatalities and injures have occurred as a consequence of Russian shrapnel usage in the eastern part of the nation. The Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office asserted that the Russian military bombarded the village of Ulakly in the Wolnowacha district with rocket launchers, leading to a residential area being struck. Preliminary reports state that two men and a woman lost their lives, while five more civilians sustained injuries.
21:46 Sunak calls out Russia allies and supporters:British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak strongly condemns Russia's supporters and allies. He allegedly stated at the peace summit in Switzerland that these entities are "on the wrong side of history" by aligning with the aggressor. He urged those providing Russia with weapons or components to think about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the light of cities like Bucha, Mariupol, and Kharkiv. Sunak declared that Putin has no genuine interest in achieving peace. Additionally, Sunak suggests that Putin's statements about his willingness to negotiate are mere falsehoods.
21:24 Saudi Arabia: Robust peace talks necessitate Russian involvement:Saudi Arabia, speaking at the Ukraine conference in Switzerland, suggests that stable peace talks hinge on Russian participation. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud notes that a resolution will depend on difficult concessions. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rumored to be among the top contenders to host future conferences.
20:51 Ukrainian forces successfully push back Russian soldiers on the East Front:Ukrainian military officials report pushing back Russian forces in the Klischtschijiwka and Serebrjansker Wald areas of the Eastern Front. The 12th Special Brigade Asow claims to have dislodged their Russian counterparts from some positions, as reported on their Telegram page. The 12th Special Brigade Asow's deputy commander, Sviatoslav Palamar, posted on Facebook that Russian troops were forced to retreat from the Serebrjansker Wald area.
20:16 Ongoing attacks near Wowtschansk despite global peace efforts:Despite international efforts for peace in Ukraine, Russian forces continue assaults along multiple front lines. In the vicinity of Wowtschansk, Russian units, supported by air power, launch additional attacks on the eastern part of the country, according to Kiev's General Staff in their daily situation report. Strikes in the Pokrowsk region in Ukraine's southeast also intensified, with roughly one third of the 74 Russian attacks of the day recorded in the region.
19:57 Scholz advocates for Russian inclusion in the peace process:German Chancellor Olaf Scholz supports the inclusion of Russia in the peace process for Ukraine. Scholz articulated this sentiment at the peace conference in Switzerland, stating that Russia's involvement is essential for establishing peace in Ukraine. However, Scholz insists on a complete Russian troop withdrawal from the partially occupied parts of Ukraine. Moreover, Scholz emphasizes that Russia has the power to end the conflict by stopping its attacks and withdrawing its forces from Ukraine immediately.
Read also:
- The Ukrainian military continues to gain ground in the Serebryansk forest region, despite Russian efforts to maintain control.
- Russia's military operations in Ukraine have been met with cyber attacks, with reports of a drone strike on a Russian army truck in the Belgorod region.
- The recent peace summit in Switzerland, aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict, was not universally supported by all participating countries, with some nations, including Russia and China, refusing to endorse the final declaration.
- As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Nato has warned against the use of atomic weapons and highlighted the importance of secure and protected nuclear energy use in the region.
