US Bradley weapons allegedly take out Russian tanks swiftly, claim Ukrainians at 21:36.
The 47th Mechanized Brigade in Ukraine is well-known for its deployment to war zones with particularly fierce fighting. This group is armed with Bradley fighting vehicles from the US. According to them, modern technology and efficient usage of American equipment give them a significant edge on the battlefield. A video released by the brigade shows the destruction of two Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carriers and several Russian soldiers by a Bradley vehicle. They describe the event as follows: "After waiting for favorable conditions, when the enemy drove onto open terrain, the 'Bushmaster' cannon stopped the equipment and eliminated the Russian terrorists."
At around 8:59 p.m., it was reported that Italy intends to send an additional SAMP/T air defense system to Ukraine. This French-Italian system, often called MAMBA, can track many targets and simultaneously intercept ten. It's the only air defense system in Europe that can intercept ballistic missiles. A source close to the situation confirms that Italy is planning to send a system currently stationed in Kuwait but due to return to Italy soon. No specific delivery date was provided.
At 20:25 p.m., a video surfaced allegedly depicting the torture of Russian prisoners of war. The brutal conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for more than three years. Since the war's beginning, there have been reports of abuse by the invaders. In a video, Russian soldiers are shown blindfolding prisoners, kicking them, and pretending to shoot one of the men.
Following an attack on Ukrainian volunteers gathering donations in the Czech Republic by Russian-speaking individuals, arrests have been made. After a clash in the capital Prague, the police have arrested four foreigners at the airport. The criminal police have started an investigation on suspicion of multiple crimes. A video from the incident shows a man and a woman speaking Russian before attempting to attack the volunteers. The man is heard saying, "I'm German."
Based on an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War, the quality of Ukrainian forces is likely to be higher than the Russians in the short to medium term. Ukrainian commanders are actively training new troops, while Russian troops continuously send poorly trained personnel to the front, resulting in substantial losses.
The West is gradually increasing its support for Ukraine by relaxing arms supply restrictions. Military expert and political scientist Walter Feichtinger discusses the implications of this for the ongoing conflict and why Western assistance has evolved.
US Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the Ukraine peace summit on June 15 and 16 in Switzerland. She will stress the US's commitment to backing Ukraine's efforts to achieve a fair and enduring peace. National Security Advisor to US President Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, will also be at the summit. More than 100 countries and organizations have confirmed their participation in the Switzerland meeting, which Russia is not invited to. The goal is to rally more global support for embattled Ukraine.
Around 17:01 p.m., a group of Russian women, some with young children, protested in Moscow in front of the Russian Defense Ministry, demanding the return of their husbands and sons from the war zone in Ukraine. Photographs and videos on social media depict about two dozen protestors with signs reading "It's time for the mobilized to return home" and "Bring Daddy home, please!". They also called for a meeting with Russia's new Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. The police are reportedly confronting them with a prisoner transport vehicle and threatening arrests. Public anti-war protests are rare in Russia due to harsh government repression.
Previously, a Knauf factory was located in Soledar, a city in eastern Ukraine. Knauf decided to leave it behind once the conflict began. The Russian military currently operates in the occupied areas. The Ukrainian military uses rockets to target the factory, resulting in significant damage:
4:34 pm: Russia Attacks Injocents Yet Again - A Child Dies
During the night, Russian assaults in Ukraine's eastern region resulted in the death of three individuals, including a 12-year-old boy. In Mychayliwka, a village in Donezk, two people lost their lives, and another was injured, as per Governor Wadim Filaschkin's statement on online platforms. Meanwhile, in Sloboschanske, a village in Kharkiv, a man was killed, and two others were injured. Filaschkin noted that two airstrikes occurred within 30 minutes, causing severe damage to houses. He added that "a 12-year-old boy is among the casualties."
4:07 pm: The Ukrainian Populace Hinders the War Realities While Enthusiastically Welcoming the Euro 2020 Football Championship
All 24 teams are readying themselves for the European Football Championship in Germany. For Ukraine, this tournament holds additional significance since it serves as a brief reprieve from the ongoing war. Football provides a moment of happiness as the nation celebrates Euro 2020:
3:29 pm: Relentless Pursuit of Russian Air Defense Systems: Ukrainian Special Forces Report Another Triumph
The Ukrainian military has made it their mission to target Russian air defense systems along the entire front line for a considerable period of time. Numerous reports of successful strikes have surfaced. However, these accomplishments cannot be verified independently. The Ukrainian forces' special unit claims to have disabled a mobile Kasta-2E radar. "In 2021, a Kasta radar was discovered on Ukrainian territory in the occupied region of Luhansk," their statement says. The struck radar was stunned with "the latest advancements," which the special forces had procured. It is unclear what these advancements refer to. They could be a new form of kamikaze drone.
3:04 pm: Ukraine May Use F-16 Fighter Jets from the Netherlands to Bombard Targets in Russia
The Netherlands has given Ukraine permission to use their F-16 fighter jets to strike targets in Russia, according to Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren in a Politico interview. Unlike Belgium, no restrictions will be placed on providing these planes. Ukraine may receive at least 24 F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands. President Zelensky has expressed his hopes of obtaining 48. Denmark has pledged to give Ukraine 19 F-16s capable of attacking targets on Russian soil. The first batch of six aircraft is due to come in this summer. Belgium is committed to providing a total of 30 planes by 2028.
2:33 pm: Chief of the British Navy Believes in Ukraine's Victory in the War
Admiral Antony Radakin, the head of the British military, confidently believes that Ukraine will prevail in the conflict, despite recent Russian advances. Though Russia has initiated offensives in the northern area of Kharkiv since May, Zelensky announced that the Russian invasion in this region had been halted, adding that Ukrainian forces retaliated. Radakin pointed out that "Russia is making ground advances on land. However, we must also consider the broader picture. If we take into account what happened between March 2022 and May 2022, Russia occupied about 17% of Ukraine, but now only occupies 11%."
2:03 pm: Damage to the S-300/400 Air Defense System Caused by Possible Ukrainian HIMARS Attack
Social media is rife with videos that allegedly depict the aftermath of an anti-aircraft system, possibly S-300/400, being destroyed in Belgorod, a city in Russia bordering Ukraine. These attacks were likely carried out using multiple rocket launchers like HIMARS. Several Western countries have allowed Ukraine to utilize the supplied weapons to strike various sites associated with the Putin administration.
1:27 pm: The Philippines Joins Ukraine's Quest for Peace at the Summit
As part of a short stopover in the Philippines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses gratitude for the nation's support and participation in the anticipated peace summit. "I'm delighted to hear today that you will assist us in our peace efforts," he remarked to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila. "We will make every effort to promote peace, cease hostilities, and negotiate a political solution." Marcos Jr. responded, "Everyone understands that achieving peace is easier said than done and that it's a difficult journey to return to a situation that is morally acceptable, not just for Ukraine, but for the entire world. The Ukrainian government predicts that approximately 107 countries will take part in the summit.
12:47 pm: Moscow Issues a Warning to the US for Damaging Its Early Warning System for Missiles
Moscow warns US of consequences over rocket system damage
Russia is warning the United States of potential backlash over alleged damage to its early warning system for rockets caused by Ukrainian attacks. Sergei Ryabkov, Deputy Foreign Minister, said the retaliation could be asynchronous. He claimed the Ukrainian regime has tried before to disrupt the normal functioning of crucial military components, including those in the strategic sector. Ryabkov cited the alleged irresponsibility of the US for not preventing these attacks, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS.
Zelenskyy to attend G7 summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may attend the G7 summit in Italy either online or in person. According to Zelenskyy's spokesperson, Serhiy Nikiforov, the president's presence is certain. However, he cannot confirm whether Zelenskyy will be physically present or not. The summit, scheduled from June 13 to 15, aims to discuss using the profits from frozen Russian assets for more military aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine faces record power shortage due to Russian attacks
The latest round of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure has led to a record-breaking increase in power imports. The Ministry of Energy predicts importing 27,178 megawatt-hours of electricity from five European countries. Ukrenergo, the power grid operator, warns consumers that regional power supplies will be rationed due to the attacks on energy facilities in eastern, western, and central Ukraine. This is already the sixth significant attack on the country's energy infrastructure this year.
Lavrov visits several African countries
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is traveling to Guinea, with plans to visit Chad and Burkina Faso as well. The Russian Foreign Ministry released a photo of Lavrov's arrival at the Conakry airport on Telegram. Russia is trying to strengthen its economic and diplomatic ties with Africa in the wake of its massive invasion of Ukraine.
Man arrested for suspected Ukrainian intelligence collaboration
The Russian security service FSB has detained a 35-year-old man in the Khabarovsk region for alleged links to Ukraine's intelligence service. TASS, a Russian state-run news agency, reported that the suspect opposed Russia's decision to launch a military invasion and wanted to join the enemy's side.
Television journalist reports after Russian air strike
Kavita Sharma, an NTV reporter, is experiencing the effects of a Russian air strike on Ukraine's energy infrastructure firsthand. She's working with generators after being affected by the attacks. Russia continues to target the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, which is causing a significant shortage of personnel in the Ukrainian army.
46 children reportedly abducted from orphanage in occupied Kherson
The "New York Times" reports that 46 children were taken from an orphanage in occupied Kherson. The abducted children were later given Russian birth certificates, social security numbers, and their names were changed in Crimea. Kyiv Independent revealed that around 19,500 children have been kidnapped by Russian occupiers since the beginning of the war.
Hungary hesitant to join peace summit in Switzerland
Hungary is undecided on participating in a global peace summit in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto expressed concerns about the event's credibility if not all parties to the conflict are present. He believes the summit is significant only if both sides are engaged in negotiating peace.
07:56 Ukrainian troops must receive training on the frontline: Ukrainian commanders are putting forth considerable effort to train new soldiers at their primary station due to the challenges posed by the arduous mobilization process. According to what was reported, they spend a significant amount of time instructing new recruits on basic skills that they are not taught during their training.
07:20 Denmarks' ambassador in Kyiv discusses further support for Ukraine with regional officials: Ruslan Kravchenko, the administrator of the Kyiv regional military, is in talks with Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, the Danish ambassador in the capital, about increasing assistance to the affected nation. "Kyiv Independent" claims that these discussions are centered on upgrading local security via the acquisition of more air defense equipment. Furthermore, they also discuss the need for rebuilding projects like homes, schools, and hospitals.
06:44 Ukraine claims they've killed or injured over 1200 Russian soldiers in a single day: According to a Ukrainian military report, their forces have killed or wounded 1270 Russian soldiers during their attack the previous day. As per the same news report, the number of slain Russian soldiers is now close to 511,000. Moreover, they have also successfully destroyed 14 tanks and 22 armored personnel carriers, and disabled 47 artillery systems.
06:11 Ukraine struggles with power shortages due to shelling attacks on its infrastructure: The damage to Ukraine's power grid caused by Russian bombings has led to an almost 50% reduction in production capacity. Moreover, coal power plants have almost ceased their operations, while water power plants on the Dnipro have also been damaged. The prospects for swift repairs are not optimistic. On the other hand, nuclear power plants remain relatively unscathed. However, their energy imports from neighboring countries are not able to adequately compensate for the lost capacity. In addition to planned power outages across the country, some disruptions have also occurred due to the unremitting battle.
05:31 Russian troops shell 10 vulnerable settlements in the Sumy region: On June 2nd, Russian forces attacked ten border locations and settlements in the region of Sumy, according to local authorities. The affected settlements are Miropillia, Khotin, Bilopillia, Mykolaivka, Krasnopillia, Shostka, Esman, Shalyhyne, Novo Sloboda, and Velyka Pysarivka. The Russian military used artillery fire, explosive shells, drones, and mortars in these assaults, laying mines as well. Fortunately, no fatalities have been recorded.
04:02 Zelensky inaugurates Ukrainian embassy in Manila during joint talks in Manila: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended meetings with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at his Presidential Palace in Manila. During these conversations, Zelensky stated that Ukraine plans to inaugurate a consulate in the city this year. Photos from the event display Zelensky, Marcos, Ukrainian delegates, and Philippine representatives all present for the announcement. The president traveled to Manila immediately after his visit to the "Shangri-La Dialog" security conference in Singapore - his second trip to Asia following the Russian invasion in 2022.
02:48 Nearly 1.5 million Ukrainian men have updated their military files: As per the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, roughly 1.5 million men in the eligible cohort have effectively updated their military records according to the recent mobilization legislation enacted at the end of May. A video posted on the ministry's YouTube channel portrays many of these changes being carried out through the user-friendly online application Rezerv+ (p.s. Reserve+).
01:15 Wagenknecht urges Scholz to clarify the shift in the utilization of German weaponry in Ukraine: BSW chairman Sahra Wagenknecht calls for Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz to provide the public with a statement regarding the new context of firing German armaments against Russian soldiers. "He should clarify the reasoning behind why it no longer constitutes a problem that Ukraine is using German weapons to attack Russian territory, despite his lengthy warnings about the war risks posed by our nation," she informed the "Funke Media Group."
23:47 Russian-Chinese talks on a new pipeline appear to have reached an impasse: Based on a media report, negotiations between Russia and China over the construction of a fresh gas pipeline seem to have ground to a halt. This is purportedly due to distinct viewpoints on pricing and delivery amounts, claims the "Financial Times," citing three knowledgeable sources. China wants to cover only local Russian pricing and secure less than a quarter of the intended annual capacity, which is 50 billion cubic meters of gas. Both countries acknowledged their enthusiasm for building the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline in mid-May, which would channel Russian gas to China.
Russian soldiers have launched over a thousand attacks on Ukrainian territory within a week, using a variety of rockets, guided missiles, and drones, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram. His message reads: "Disregard for human life and constant fear - that's what Russia attempts to spread. In just one week, Russian troops have conducted nearly 1000 attacks involving rockets of different types, guided bombs, and attack drones."
In other news, the Ukrainian football team expressed confidence in their security while in Germany for the European Championship (EM). National coach Serhii Rebrov stated that Germany will go the extra mile to ensure not only the Ukrainian team's safety but also that of all the participating teams. The team currently feels secure, he added. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) promised strict measures to safeguard Ukraine during the EM. The Ukrainian national team is set to play a test match against Germany on Monday at 8:15 p.m.(on ARD). In the group stage of the EM (June 14-July 14), Ukraine will play against Belgium, Romania, and Slovakia.
For more details on the previous events, please refer to this article.
Read also:
- NATO has expressed concern over the escalating Cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia, with Ukrainian officials claiming several Russian military networks have been disrupted.
- In response to the Ukraine conflict, Nato member countries, including Italy, have pledged to provide additional military aid and strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has called for international cooperation to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets to bolster its military operations against Russia.
- Russia's military operations in Ukraine have resulted in numerous attacks on civilian infrastructure, including power plants and critical infrastructure, leading to a severe energy crisis in Ukraine.
