US weapons deployment at 20:30: Jager: Russia intends to "terrify backers of Ukraine".

US weapons deployment at 20:30: Jager: Russia intends to "terrify backers of Ukraine".

Thus far, the US hasn't let Ukraine use its acquired weapons on Russian land—but that could shift soon. Political scientist Thomas Jäger evaluates whether Russia might expand the war to additional countries as a result:

8:55 PM Kremlin spokesperson Peskov attempts to frighten the USRussia is threatening the US against allowing Ukraine to assault Russian territory using American armaments. "Such an approach is wholly irresponsible and dangerous," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian state television. In contrast, he accuses the US and several European capitals of incessantly instigating escalation. He even claims that there are "hotheads in the US who perceive it as their duty to stoke the flames." During his trip to Kiev last week, US Secretary of State Blinken stated: "We have not supported or sanctioned attacks outside of Ukraine, yet it is Ukraine that chooses how it wishes to battle its war, a war it is waging to safeguard its liberty, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."

8:19 PM US soldiers in Ukraine? Thiele: “We're escalating the risk.”The sentiment that the US is contemplating deploying its own soldiers in the Ukraine conflict intensifies the potential for war expansion, according to military expert Ralph Thiele. He asserts that this machination from the White House is tied to the administration's belated response to weapon deliveries.

8:47 PM HIMARS and artilleries: The forthcoming US military aid bundle for UkraineThe United States will furnish Ukraine with a $275 million military aid package. This package includes the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system and artillery shells, as reported by two US government sources to the AP news agency. This is the fourth set of assistance for Ukraine since the US Congress passed a delayed foreign aid bill in April. President Joe Biden's staff is vowing to maintain a consistent supply of arms and ensure timely delivery to Ukrainian frontlines.

8:10 PM Unmanned kamikaze drones? Ukraine targets Russian factories far in the eastUkraine is supposedly bombing military factories approximately 1000 kilometers away in Russian Tatarstan. Drones are allegedly landing in Kazan and Nizhnekamsk, per a military intelligence source revealed to the Kyiv Post. Several companies in Tatarstan ordered evacuations in response to the perceived danger. Some airports also suspended operations temporarily.

8:35 PM Deepfakes plague Chinese social mediaChinese social media is being bombarded with artificial intelligence-generated fake videos. Unknown entities are using AI to create false videos of purported Russian women spouting phrases they've never uttered, such as "China is the safest nation on the planet." China's government hopes to prohibit this practice with law:

8:02 PM Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in crisisThe main power line supplying the Russian-controlled Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya has malfunctioned, according to Russian sources. Nonetheless, there's no imminent danger. The plant can be operated with a backup power supply or diesel generators, the Russian administration revealed on Telegram. The six reactors in Europe's largest nuclear power plant have been turned off, but the plant still necessitates an external power supply or diesel generators to prevent a meltdown. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been cautiously sounding alarms about power supply issues since the Russian attack in 2022.

4:31 PM International fund declares multimillion-dollar military bundle for UkraineAlbeit a relatively small contribution, this aid is important: the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) proclaims a new military package valued at 150 million pounds. According to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, the funds will be utilized for air defense and maritime capabilities like radars, drone defense systems, and small boats. "Ukraine needs more air defense systems to shield its populace and infrastructure from Russian terror," said Ukraine. The IFU is a financing mechanism employing monies from international associates to procure crucial military gear for Ukraine. The fund is overseen by the British Ministry of Defense. Its members include the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Lithuania.

4:05 PM Baltic defense ministers: NATO countries to substantially increase defense budgetsThe defense ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are urging for increased defense spending prior to the NATO summit. They suggest a surplus of 2.5% of GDP. The current percentage is 2%, and 18 NATO members are predicted to hit the target this year. The three Baltic countries have been active supporters of Ukraine since the war's inception and regularly call for NATO to adopt stronger actions against Russian aggression. https://www.kievindependent.com/UKRAINE/defence-ministers,330567

What's next in Russia's list of provocations? There's talk that the Russian border guard has removed Estonian buoys in the border area between Estonia and Russia. The buoys were put up to mark shipping routes in the Narva River, which borders the two countries. According to Eerik Purgel, head of the Border Guard Bureau, Russia and Estonia used to cooperate in installing buoys every spring until 2023. But now, the Russian border guard has taken away 24 of the 50 recently installed buoys without any explanation. Estonia is hoping to find out why from Russia.

Could this be Russia's next move in the Baltic States? Ukrainian army chief Syrskyj gives an update on the situation at the frontlines. The Russians have been fully engaged in street fighting in and around Vovchansk. The Ukrainian forces have managed to push them back slightly, causing the enemy heavy losses. But the Russians are continuing to deploy reinforcements to support their assaults, without making any progress. Syrskyj also mentions the battle for Chassiv Yar, where the Russians are desperately trying to hold on to the city. However, they've been unable to resist Ukraine's anti-tank weapons and drones, which have destroyed many of their modern T-90M, BMP-3, and BMD-4 tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

Putin heads to Belarus for another visit: As per Kremlin sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be making a two-day official trip to visit his closest ally, Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. This comes after Putin's visit to China. They'll discuss improving their bilateral relations, as well as other international political issues. This is Putin's second foreign visit since taking office for his fifth term. He and Lukashenko have frequent meetings, with the latter being highly dependent on Russia for economic, political, and military support. Lukashenko visited Moscow in May for a military parade.

Russia threatens to retaliate against British targets: Russia has warned that it would target UK targets in Ukraine and beyond, if Ukraine used British weapons to strike Russian territory. This is a direct response to UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron's statement that Ukraine had the right to use weapons supplied by London against Russia. The statement intensified tensions, prompting Russia to plan military exercises involving a nuclear missile attack simulation.

Russia claims capture of a devastated Andriyivka: The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that they've taken control of the village of Andriyivka in the Donetsk region. Ukraine has not made any announcement about this. Andriyivka, located near Bakhmut, was under Ukraine's control for a while in 2023. However, intense fighting between the two sides resumed in January 2024. The village is now almost completely destroyed.

Yellen ensures continued financial aid for Ukraine: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stresses that Russia should not expect the US to stop supporting Ukraine financially. After 2025, Yellen suggests using the frozen Russian assets to provide more financial assistance to Ukraine. The US is trying to convince the G7 members to agree to this idea. The funds could be used to issue bonds or loans.

Steinmeier urges more effort for defense: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier views Russia's war in Ukraine as a "game-changer." He calls for increased emphasis on military security and social resilience. He argues that debating forms of military service and other forms of community service is necessary. Steinmeier also pushes for stronger efforts to protect Germany's security and strengthen the alliance. He was committed to defending the values of openness and solidarity on the international stage before, despite some past criticism of NATO's actions in Eastern Europe.

12:07 Kharkiv: A minimum of six individuals lost their lives due to Russian missile assaults

Reports from Ukraine assert that at least six individuals have been killed in the aftermath of various missile attacks on Kharkiv. Russian troops had targeted the city at least fifteen times during the morning, according to these reports. The casualties also included sixteen people who got injured whilst fifteen buildings suffered damages, as mentioned by the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that these attacks were "extremely brutal" and decried Russia's predatory utilization of Ukraine's inadequate air defence.

11:36 Norway's stubbornness against Russian tourists: Authorities to escalate visa regulations

From May 29, any Russian citizens entering Norway for tourism or unessential purposes will no longer be allowed inside the nation, as per a statement released by the Norwegian government. These restrictions apply equally to visa holders issued by Norway and those from other Schengen countries. "This decision to enforce stricter immigration policies is in line with Norway's commitment to unite with fellow allies and partners to combat Russia's unlawful aggression in Ukraine," stated the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Emilie Enger Mehl.

11:09 Exploring the implications of arming Ukraine with US weapons amid Russian attacks: A peek into Russia's potential reaction

With recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, the thought of permitting Kiev to attack Russian territories with US weapons has gained attention. Russian correspondent for ntv, Rainer Munz, analyses the potential responses in the event of intensified conflict resulting from this action.

10:42 Sweden's fear of war and the need for self-defence: "We have no clue how much time we have"

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sweden is operating on the concept of "total defence" and striving to secure its energy supply for potential hostilities. Swedish civil defence minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin discusses their approach to guaranteeing uninterrupted energy during warfare. Being highly dependent on its energy supply due to over 16,000 kilometers of power lines running through its forests susceptible to sabotage, Sweden is working to maintain power supply in the event of conflict. The significance of having a functioning energy grid, as evidenced in Ukraine, cannot be overstated, considering prolonged power outages and a frigid winter without heating.

Learn more about this soon

10:14 High-profile Russian military personnel held in custody: Fourth senior officer arrested

Russia's purge of its armed forces continues. Russian state news announced the arrest of Vadim Shamarin, Deputy Chief of Staff, on charges of corruption. He is being kept in custody pending future legal proceedings. Shamarin's arrest comes amid allegations of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff receiving substantial bribes. In Russia, this crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen years. Shamarin is the fourth high-ranked military official arrested since last month. In April, Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was detained for bribery. Subsequent arrests include Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetskov and Major General Ivan Popov. Last month, President Vladimir Putin substituted long-serving Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu with ex-Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov.

9:54 Ukrainian prisoners of war to join Ukrainian army: App-based recruitment process

he perpetual war in Ukraine requires a steady stream of soldiers, and measures are being employed to rapidly recruit new ones. A new recruitment process involves using an online application wherein prisoners are offered an opportunity to serve in the Ukrainian army.

9:26 US arms intended for Ukraine could theoretically target Russian land: A potential rethink in Washington

Former policies laid out by US President Joe Biden, steadfastly ensuring that US-supplied weapons would not be fired on Russian territory, are now being questioned internally. The escalating hostilities on the front, along with the visit of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Kiev, have stimulated deliberations in the White House, according to the New York Times. Considering arming Ukraine with weapons that could be utilised to destroy Russian positions lying directly beyond the border. Secretary of State Blinken is a key proponent of this proposal, but it remains too early to ascertain the degree of support amongst Biden's advisers.

The Kremlin is becoming more reliant on Russians living abroad, known as "compatriots." Yevgeny Primakov, the individual in charge of these compatriots, spoke to TASS about an "electronic map of compatriots" almost ready in his office. This map would grant citizens living overseas access to unspecified government services, allow them to visit and work in Russia, and eventual provision of Russian citizenship. Initial cards could be distributed by the end of 2024. Primakov noted that some diaspora members lack Russian citizenship and have doubts about Moscow's strategy. Yet, he maintains they have some connection to Russia and this project will assist them and their children in maintaining their links to their homeland. Primakov guesstimates that the number of "compatriots" ranges from 20 to 40 million, despite lacking a clear definition. The Institute for the Study of War surmises that recruiting this group is likely to "rationalize additional aggression and hybrid operations abroad to 'protect' Russian compatriots."

In the skies above Belgorod, Russian defense systems countered 35 missiles and three drones deployed to attack the region from Ukraine. The local government affirms no casualties have been reported.

357 Russian soldiers and occupation officials serving in Ukraine are accused of committing war crimes by the Ukrainian prosecution authorities. A sum of war crimes committed outside occupied territories and detention centres in Russia has not been disclosed. The alleged abuses being carried out include deliberate homicides, torture, and mistreatment of civilians and prisoners of war, with 83 war criminals already standing trial. Since Russia's 2014 invasion, they have been "systematically abducting, torturing, and murdering Ukrainians," Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said. "With the advent of full-scale war, this policy of intimidation and ruin of all those who identify as Ukrainians has become increasingly ruthless."

Ukraine registered achievements in defending the Kharkiv region in the northeast. Nonetheless, a requirement for troops to withdraw from other front lines and accept setbacks necessitated conceding territory. The Ukrainian army is currently unable to withstand assault in the entire frontline. Concurrently, Russia deploys more waves of attacks in multiple regions.

Ukraine's military is experiencing the most confrontations in the coal and steel region of Donbass, especially around Avdiivka's northwest region with 25 conflicts. The enemy is trying to infiltrate Ukrainian troops with shock troops and equipment, the military reported. President Volodymyr Zelensky specifies this area as a focal point of the conflict as well. Concerning the mid-May frontline near Kharkiv, Ukrainian troops insist the situation is managed and the defenders are holding their ground. Battles are focused on the villages of Lipzy, Starytsya, and the town of Vovchansk.

After Georgia passed a contentious "foreign influence" legislation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded by indicating that the US was considering a response. "We are gravely worried about the foreign agent law that was passed," Blinken told the US Congress. "We're carefully examining what retaliation we can impose, and I believe that we'll take action," he added. This law echoes Russia's legislation meant to restrict foreign influence on non-state organizations.

The DIW economic research institute's study asserts that a ban on Russian natural gas imports into the EU would not impede natural gas supplies in the EU. Depending on the gas demand until 2030, Russia could be entirely cut off without increasing infrastructure, the study suggests. LNG imports and pipeline supplies from other nations could ensure security if the bloc levies more sanctions against Russia.

06:30 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis expresses caution about potential Patriot delivery to Ukraine

Iohannis states that any potential delivery of the Patriot system to Ukraine would need approval from the Supreme Council for National Defense and should not compromise Romania's air defense capabilities. He stressed that this matter will not be discussed publicly, but rather in private discussions with military experts and the Supreme Council. Supplying the Patriot system to Ukraine is rife with logistical and legal challenges. "Even if Romania considers making some concessions, it needs something in return for it to happen," Iohannis said during an interview on Romanian news channel Digi24.

05:55 Poland contemplating shooting down Russian missiles over Ukrainian border

The Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman, Pawel Wronski, revealed that Poland is considering engaging its air defenses to intercept Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory. This move comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Western allies, including Poland, to intervene more directly in Ukraine's defense by shooting down Russian missiles. Wronski commented on Zelensky's statement, saying that the Polish government is studying the technical and legal implications of this approach. "We are examining this issue from a legal and technical perspective," he told Ukrinform.

05:20 Ukraine claims to have shot down Russian SU-25 fighter jet

Ukrainian troops claim to have downed a Russian SU-25 fighter jet near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. The General Staff later confirmed: "According to available information, Ukrainian troops have destroyed a Russian SU-25 attack aircraft." The Soviet-designed SU-25, nicknamed the "Frog's Foot" by NATO, is a heavily armored ground attack aircraft that provides aerial support for Russian ground forces. The aircraft is a crucial component of Russia's intensified attacks on various parts of the eastern front, which encompasses much of the Donetsk region.

04:45 Sweden pledges 6.5 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine

Sweden has committed to providing an additional 6.5 billion euros in military assistance to Ukraine over the next three years, announced Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky thanked Sweden for the aid: "This [aid] is very tangible and will help not only Ukraine but the entire European region, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea." He added, "Ukraine's cause is Sweden's cause."

03:35 Kadyrov offers to provide more troops to Putin for Ukraine war

At a meeting in the Kremlin, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov offered Putin additional troops for the war in Ukraine. He said that "tens of thousands of well-trained and equipped soldiers from the reserve" were ready to join the battle. So far, 43,500 soldiers, including 18,000 volunteers, have already served in Ukraine.

01:50 Zelensky continues collecting pledges for peace summit in June

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to gather commitments from world leaders to attend a peace summit in Switzerland in mid-June. He confirmed conversations with the heads of state and government of Chile, Albania, Austria, and Mozambique. Zelensky expressed his appreciation for their support. "Four more countries - I thank them," he said in a video message. Chancellor Karl Nehammer of Austria is expected to attend the summit on behalf of Germany, while Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also scheduled to participate, according to the German Chancellery. Nehammer sees the summit as a step towards restoring peace in the region.

00:45 Zelensky requests Western help to counter Russian glide bombs

Ukrainian President Zelensky sought Western assistance to combat Russian glide bombs, which have become a prevalent instrument of Russian airstrikes. He expressed the urgent need for solutions and tactics that can defend Ukraine's positions, cities, and communities from these bombs. Russia frequently uses glide bombs, which can be dropped with minimal risk to Russian pilots, making them difficult to counter.

00:15 Ukraine grants parole to prisoners for military service

In an effort to bolster its forces, Ukraine has released its first two prisoners on parole to enlist in the National Guard. A court in Khmelnytsky granted their applications for release under a new law that allows incarcerated individuals willing to fight in the war to be released on parole. Over 3,000 prisoners have reportedly applied for release since the regulation was implemented.

Read also:

• Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
• Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
• UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
• SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year

1. The concern over Russia's potential expansion of the war beyond Ukraine has been raised by political scientist Thomas Jäger, following the US deployment of weapons.
2. The Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has criticized the US and European capitals for instigating escalation, as they allegedly fuel hotheads in the US who perceive it as their duty to stoke the flames.
3. Nato's involvement in the Ukraine conflict could potentially intensify, as military expert Ralph Thiele suggests that the White House's late response to weapon deliveries might be indicative of a potential deployment of US soldiers.
4. The upcoming US military aid bundle for Ukraine includes the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system and artillery shells, prompting speculation about potential cyberwar operations against Russian targets, considering Russia's vulnerability in this area.

Source: www.ntv.de