USA adopts a "competitive" approach to nuclear weapons development.
The American administration, dealing with little cooperation from countries such as Russia or North Korea, will opt for a more "competitive" nuclear weapon strategy in the future and does not dismiss an increase in their capacities. "If Russia, China, and North Korea do not change course, the United States must keep adjusting its stance and abilities to preserve its power to deter and achieve other goals," remarks Pranay Vaddi from the White House National Security Council. It is known that the behavior of US antagonists can only be influenced to a limited extent by leading by example.
7:14 PM: Sweden Joins NATO Air Patrol After Months of MembershipSweden announces it will participate in NATO air surveillance, three months following its NATO membership. This news is shared by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. In this role, Swedish fighter jets will primarily cover the Baltic Sea under NATO management. Kristersson shares his sentiments after meeting NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at a military base near Stockholm, stating, "Sweden has been determined to be an active NATO member from the very beginning, and now we can truly set off on the journey."
7:00 PM: French Expert Arrested in Moscow Placed in Pre-Trial DetentionA day following his Moscow arrest, a French political expert in Russia finds himself placed in pre-trial detention. A Moscow court has mandated his detention until at least early August. Laurent Vinatier is a member of the Swiss non-governmental organization Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), accused by Russian authorities of gathering military information and neglecting to register as a "foreign agent." The Russian authorities utilize the "foreign agents" law to keep an eye on and control dissidents. Vinatier potentially faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
5:45 PM: Ukraine Sees an Inadequate Power SupplyAfter experiencing months of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, Ukraine is facing severe shortfalls in power supply. State power provider Ukrenergo reports power consumption restrictions are in place throughout the day, ensuring critical infrastructure facilities and companies can keep operating. Kiev's city administration projects the available power supply for the day will only cover 75% of the capital's consumption. Power was halted in several areas the previous evening.
5:18 PM: After French Jet Fighter Deal in Paris: Kremlin Accuses Macron of Incitement
Following France's announcement of jet fighter shipments to Ukraine, the Kremlin levels accusations. "We view these statements as highly provocative," mentions Kremlin spokesperson Peskov to Interfax agency. "President Macron is demonstrating full support for the Kiev regime and expressing France's readiness to participate directly in the armed conflict," he adds. French President Macron made these comments during a television broadcast Thursday evening announcing the transfer of several Mirage jet fighters to Ukraine. He dodged telling reporters whether France would send military trainers to Ukraine or not, stating instead that training could take place within Ukraine and would not necessarily escalate the situation.
4:57 PM: Putin Hints at Weapons Aid to Counter-West Foes
Vladimir Putin hints that Russia could supply weapons to adversaries of the West if Ukraine opts to use Western arms against Russia. The countries or entities that could receive aid in this situation remains unknown in Putin's speech at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. "If they send weapons to the combat zone and call for their usage against our territories, why shouldn't we have the right to do the same?" he inquires. He also notes that at present, Moscow is not supplying arms to countries adversarial to the West.
4:32 PM: Berlin: Russia Asset Use Remains Unsettled at G7 SummitThe German government anticipates progress on utilizing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine at the impending G7 summit of significant Western industrialized countries in Italy, though a conclusive decision remains unmade. A German government representative feels discussions on allocating funds from interest on frozen assets to Ukraine temporarily could take place. The G7 finance ministers have reached a similar conclusion. However, the EU nations within the G7—Germany, France, and Italy—will have to agree within the EU. "I believe there won't be a final resolution," he predicts.
4:00 PM: Zelensky Praises France for "Exceptional Fighter Jets"Unlike his previous austere relationship with Western nations, Ukrainian President Zelensky expresses gratitude to France for the announced delivery of Mirage fighter jets to offset the Russian offensive. "Your fighter jets, your exceptional fighter jets, will be flown by Ukrainian pilots to affirm that Europe is powerful, that Europe is stronger than the bad that dared to threaten it," says Zelensky in the French Parliament. The day before, French President Macron revealed plans to hand over Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine. These jet fighters can also be utilized for the use of French-British cruise missiles of the type Scalp/Storm Shadow.
Latest Reports: Larger Ukrainian Attack on Russian-Occupied Luhansk
Ukraine's military has reportedly launched a bigger attack on the Russian-held city of Luhansk, with governor Artem Lyssohor stating that barracks and depots on the former military airfield's grounds in the city's east, as well as a fuel depot, were the targets of the shelling. However, it's impossible to confirm the claims that at least three civilians were killed and over 30 more were injured. The Ukrainian governor blames the civilian casualties entirely on Russia's use of air defense systems. Contrarily, Russian forces assert that they intercepted four out of five rockets fired. This information is also unverifiable. Also, Russia alleges that Ukraine deliberately targeted residential areas in Luhansk.
16:05 Putin: Reduction in Payments with "Toxic" Currencies
Russian President Putin wants to increase the autonomy of his country from the West and decrease reliance on Western currencies. He urges expanding domestic financial markets, reducing imports, and utilizing non-Western currencies in trade. Russian trade with Asia is growing, and Russia conducts almost 40% of its foreign trade in rubles. On the other hand, trade carried out in dollars, euros, and other Western currencies is diminishing. Russia will try to boost the share of transactions with BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) — a group of emerging economies. Last year, the share of payments for Russian exports in 'toxic' currencies of unfriendly nations halved, according to Putin, mainly Western countries.
15:45 Russian Capture of Village in Donetsk
The Russian military claims to have captured another village in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. They report that this incident took place during the previous week, and they have secured this settlement — Paraskoviyivka. Parasokvyivka is located approximately 25 kilometers southwest Donetsk, a city that Moscow had already taken control of in 2022. After a prolonged period of stagnation, the Russian forces have recently captured various settlements.
15:34 Stoltenberg: Ukraine Has the Right to Attack Russian Military Targets
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg affirms that Ukraine is allowed to target Russian military structures under international law. He states, "Ukraine has the right to self-defense." This right covers attacking legitimate military objectives in Russia's territory.
15:13 Biden Hands Over a $225 Million Aid Package to Zelenskyy in Paris
U.S. President Joe Biden declares a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $225 million (€207 million). He ceremonially delivers this information to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris during their ongoing visits. The U.S. Department of Defense highlights the main contents of the package: rockets for Hawk anti-aircraft systems, ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters. The U.S. administration has been concentrated on beefing up Ukraine's air defense capabilities and supplying the country with ammunition lately.
14:58 Moscow Blames Ukraine for Attack on Luhansk's Residential Area
Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking the Russian-controlled city of Luhansk from the air. The Russian Emergencies Ministry reports that four people were killed and a residential building was damaged. Over 40 people were injured, with four of them being children, according to Russian occupation authorities. The Russian-appointed leader of the region, Leonid Pasetschnik, asserts "Ukrainian nationalists" fired "at least six ATACMS rockets" at the city, targeting residential infrastructure. The Russian Defense Ministry declares that four rockets were intercepted by Russian air defense systems, and the fifth hit two residential buildings.
14:24 Confidential Documents Reveal Demand for More Bundeswehr Soldiers
Allegedly, the Bundeswehr requires an additional 75,000 soldiers, says Spiegel magazine, citing confidential documents from the German Defense Ministry. This assertion stems from overworked NATO plans: Ukraine had to adhere to specific requirements for troops, weapons, and other equipment, as calculated during the NATO summit in Vilnius last year. The German Defense Ministry statement was unavailable immediately. The German Armed Forces currently consist of 180,000 soldiers and soldiers and 80,000 civilian employees.
13:50 Ukraine Meets Prerequisites for EU Accession Talks
Ukraine is seemingly fulfilling requirements for accession negotiations with the European Union. The details, however, are kept confidential and not disclosed to the public. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with top EU leaders in Brussels, while Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and France's President Emmanuel Macron delivered their assurance of aid to Ukraine. It is expected that Ukraine may receive a decision to initiate accession negotiations at the upcoming EU summit on March 23rd. The EU had earlier drawn out the tables of countries that could potentially join the bloc, which mentioned Ukraine on them.
Ukraine and Moldova are thought to have satisfied all the prerequisites for initiating talks about joining the European Union, according to an appraisal from the EU Commission. This was relayed orally to the EU's member country representatives in Brussels, diplomatic sources have indicated. Both nations are said to have settled outstanding issues in March. For Ukraine, this included measures to enhance protections for national minorities and diminish the political sway of oligarchs. The German government already announced at the end of May that all requirements for initiating EU accession negotiations with Ukraine had been accomplished. More information is available here.
13:15 Biden issues apology to Zelenskyy for delayed weapons delivery
U.S. President Joe Biden apologizes to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the protracted timeframe in receiving weapons deliveries from the United States. He also regrets the weeks of disquiet surrounding future assistance, Biden stated at a gathering with Zelenskyy in Paris. Both leaders are presently on multi-day trips to France. Regarding the extended stalemate of U.S. financial aid for Kiev, Biden shared that some exceptionally conservative legislators had obstructed the bill in parliament. However, the issue has now been resolved. The U.S. President guaranteed Zelenskyy that the United States would not abandon Kiev. Ukraine serves as a barrier against Russian aggression, and the United States has a duty to support Kiev. More details are available here.
12:35 Moscow implicates US in the deaths of Russian women and children
Russia is assigning blame to the United States for the first time for the casualties of women and children in Russia due to weapons dispatched to Ukraine. Maria Zakharova, a representative for the Russian Foreign Ministry, declared that Ukraine had used arms previously supplied by the United States in the past week for attacks in the border region of Belgorod. Statements by the U.S. government regarding their support for such attacks allegedly "constitute a confession ... to the murder of children and women in the Belgorod region," she contended. "Fragments of HIMARS rockets will serve as direct evidence," the spokesperson added. This accusation comes after warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin that the West is playing with fire and risking a global conflict if it permits Ukraine to fire weapons acquired from it onto Russian territory.
12:00 Western weapons being used against military targets in Russia: Security expert observes immediate success
The security expert Christian Mölling sees immediate benefits following the decision that Ukraine can now target military targets within Russia. The region of Kharkiv can now at least temporarily ensure protection against what was previously so simple for Russia: planning and launching assaults in a secure location, says the research director of the German Council on Foreign Relations in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation". "We also notice beyond the safeguarding of Kiev that the ominous pounding by Western weapons on Russian territory - I'm trying to be very specific here - has promptly improved the situation and brought Ukrainian forces to the forefront," he states. "In other words, the effect of weapons, if one actually allows it, permits Ukraine to quickly re-emerge as leaders." In turn, one must inquire where one is still "braking" and thus shoulders responsibility for the dead, injured, and damaged infrastructure, Mölling maintains. The fundamental idea is that we're allowing military targets to be attacked. Otherwise, we're creating "secure havens for the aggressor, which is completely illogical."
11:38 Zelensky: "Hitler moved borders after borders. Putin is doing the same thing"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns of an escalation of the Russian war effort. "In the 1930s, Hitler crossed border after border. Putin is doing the same thing," Zelensky remarked to French National Assembly members. "We witness how aggression is expanding to the Baltic States, Poland, and the Balkans." The Russian leadership intends "to find a way to destabilize Europe," he continued. The Russian president Vladimir Putin is employing "the arsenal of the past century," maritime blockades and the extensive abduction of children for re-education. "He is blackmailing the entire world so they are afraid of him," the Ukrainian president stated.
11:04 Russian soldier trial underway; US citizen facing charges
A U.S. soldier is currently on trial in Russia. RIA Novosti, Russia's state news agency, reports that the 34-year-old Gordon Black is willing to testify in the proceedings in Vladivostok and respond to the claims. The man had visited the city to see his spouse. His arrest ensued when she accused him of theft. If found guilty, he faces up to five years in prison. The case adds to the already strained relations between the U.S. and Russia. Russia is detaining a number of Americans, including the spy Paul Whelan and the "Wall Street Journal" journalist Evan Gershkovich. The U.S. maintains that both people are illegally confined.
10:34 "Russia aims to show: The actual adversary in the war is America"
The Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine may potentially be merged into a new federal district. What this entails and what the deployment of additional warships to Cuba signifies, illuminates ntv correspondent Rainer Munz.
Russia accuses Ukraine of using American rockets to target civilians on Russian land, claiming responsibility for the deaths of women and children in the Belgorod region. Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, states that evidence of the attacks will come in the form of the remaining HIMARS rockets.
09:55 Ukraine holds Ukrainian General Responsible for Kakhovka Dam Disaster
Ukraine is charging former Dnieper Group commander, General Oleg Makarevich, with premeditated murder and violations of the laws of war. They claim he ordered the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam on June 6, 2023, leading to a disastrous flood in the Kherson region and resulting in a significant humanitarian and ecological crisis. If arrested and convicted, the general could face a life sentence. The Security Service of Ukraine conducted the investigation, stating, "The SBU is making every effort to identify and bring to justice all those involved in crimes against Ukraine."
09:25 Multiple Attempts to Breach Ukrainian Defense
Many regions in Ukraine are experiencing air raid alerts, with Russian air attacks focusing on Odessa, Kyiv, and the tense situation in Donetsk. Despite the consistent air raids, training for promised combat aircraft has stalled.
08:59 Ukraine Thwarts Russian Attacks
Ukrainian authorities claim to have successfully intercepted all five rockets launched by Russia. They also shot down 48 of the 53 drones that were used in the Kiev region. The rockets targeted infrastructure in four regions, with energy systems unaffected. There were no casualties reported.
08:26 Historian Ecublens on the Importance of Ukraine to European Peace and Securing the Debt Brake
Historian Heinrich August Winkler warns that adhering to the debt brake could endanger European peace and the freedom of European democracies. He suggests that European members of NATO should increase their conventional defense efforts and that the debt brake should not impede progress. "We cannot achieve any primacy in domestic politics in matters of Russia," he states.
07:54 Swiss President Alerd Expects Continuing Negotiations After the Peace Conference
Swiss President Viola Amherd believes the peace conference planned for mid-June by her country will only be a starting point for subsequent negotiations and potentially could provide a platform for Russian participation. More than 80 countries have agreed to attend, including Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Russia has not been invited, but they have also expressed an unwillingness to send representatives if invited.
07:31 German Companies Maintain Investments in Ukraine
In spite of the ongoing war, a significant number of German companies operating in Ukraine plan on increasing their investments in the Eastern European nation. A survey by the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce revealed that 43% of companies intend to persist with their activities, while only 8% plan to withdraw their investments. These companies express a need for political and economic stability, public financing, and guarantees as crucial factors for growth.
07:02 Human Rights Organizations Refer Russian Propagandists to the International Criminal Court
The International Federation for Human Rights, the Center for Civil Liberties, and the Kharkiv Human Rights Group presented a report to the International Criminal Court, claiming that five prominent Russian propagandists, including Vladimir Solovyov, Margarita Simonyan, Dmitry Kiselyov, Sergei Mardan, Dmitry Medvedev, and Alexei Gromov, incited violence against Ukrainians. Previously, the Court had issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for the abduction of Ukrainian children. These cases demonstrate the central role of propaganda in fueling hatred and conflict.
06:31 Putin Vows Decades of War Economy for Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledges to bolster Russia's war economy as he continues his assault on Ukraine. Putin has issued a host of directives for defense sector advancement, resulting in increased weapon production and ammunition, as revealed by Russia's first deputy prime minister Denis Manturov at the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). SPIEF's defense-focused event showcased Russia's accelerated production of arms, achieving development four times faster and half the price when compared to the West. With a focus on a century-long war economics strategy, the defense industry has undergone rapid expansion. Manturov mentioned there are around 850 firms contributing to this growth, with more than 50% of them in the private sector. Economist Pyotr Fradkov, chair at Promsvyazbank, highlighted the military-industry complex as the driving force of the economy.
05:59 German Government's NATO Stance Rattles Partners
The German government is causing unease within NATO by shunning the term 'NATO Mission Ukraine' (NMU). This stance, deemed superfluous, mystifies most NATO allies. Berlin worries that using the label "NATO Mission Ukraine" could provoke Russia into labeling the alliance as aggressors and fueling pro-Kremlin propaganda. In stark contrast, proponents of the term 'mission' argue that it would provide an appropriate cover for the alliance's support project in Ukraine. Germany's singular reluctance to use the term mission troubles partners, especially in light of its declared commitment to the project.
05:10 Russia Expert on Ukraine Conference Decries Missing Heavyweights
The Switzerland-bound Ukraine conference is facing serious challenges with key players such as China, Brazil, and South Africa opting out, deeming it a blemish. Gerhard Mangott, Russia analyst at the University of Innsbruck, opines that the conference's prospects are dimmed by these absent nations and post-conference plans are being discussed prematurely. Mangott emphasized that this could signal little faith in the pending conference. Most surprisingly, the United States will be present with only Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in attendance. Mangott finds it perplexing why President Joe Biden has decided to skip the conference.
03:02 Rampant Attacks by Russia with Drones and Cruise Missiles
Overnight, Ukrainian residents bunkered down as alarms sounded in large swathes of the country, excluding the regions in the west. Drone attacks targeted Odessa from the Black Sea, and cruise missiles were engaged.
01:55 Looming Military Aid Package from the USA
The US is readying a new $225 million military aid package for Ukraine. The anticipated package will comprise ammunition that can reach targets outside Ukraine's borders to shield Kharkiv, a city vulnerable to a massive Russian attack. The deal includes ammunition for the HIMARS system, mortar systems, and assorted artillery shells. US President Joe Biden is set for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris later today.
00:54 Blackouts in Multiple Regions
Ukrainian power distributor Ukrenergo has announced power blackouts across 12 regions. The affected regions encompass Lviv and Zakarpattia in the west, capital Kiev, Kiev's environs, Odessa in the south, and Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia in the east, largely due to exceeded power consumption. Critical infrastructures might be compromised due to Russian disruption of the power supply infrastructure. Ukraine has experienced a marked reduction in power generation capabilities since Russian assaults.
23:30 US Visa Restrictions Against Georgian Citizens
The US has introduced visa restrictions on selected participants in Georgia's "Foreign Influence Law" process. Approximately 'a few dozen' individuals, such as Georgian Dream Party authorities, MPs, security service members, and relatives, are barred from entering the States. Previously announced measures also include an evaluation of bilateral relationships with Georgia. Georgia has witnessed weeks of protests trying to halt the passing of this legislation. This law resembles the 2012 Russian law against 'foreign agents', enabling authorities to enforce harsh penalties on anti-government media and organizations.
22:13: Russian governor: Controlled Ukrainian territories might convert into a federal district
Rumors have it that the occupied Ukrainian regions could potentially be combined into a new federal district. This piece of news is sourced from Yevhen Balizkyi, a Russian governor who's active in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia. Russia unlawfully annexed Crimea and occupied parts of Ukraine's Donbass region in 2014. Later in February 2022, Moscow took control over additional Ukrainian areas, including Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.
21:22: Power outage: Ukrenergo cuts electricity in Kiev and several other regions
The power grid operator Ukrenergo is shutting down energy supply in the evening hours for Kiev and 12 other regions across Ukraine. They made this announcement on their Facebook page, according to Ukrinform. The regions of Volhynia, Donetsk, Zhytomyr, Transcarpathia, Saporizhzhia, Lviv, Mykolayiv, Kirovohrad, Odessa, Rivne, Kharkiv, and Kiev's region are believed to be affected.
20:47: Zelenskyy's visit to Berlin: Possible speech at the Bundestag on Tuesday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is likely to visit Berlin, as reported by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He's also slated to address the Bundestag for the first time in person. A reconstruction conference for Ukraine, organized by the Foreign Office, will be held in Berlin from Tuesday to Wednesday this week. The president's visit is yet to be confirmed, but his appearance in the Bundestag is highly probable.
20:36: Macron confirms France's delivery of Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine
France is gifting Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine, as declared by French President Emmanuel Macron in an interview with French TV. He added that 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers will be provided with training.He views this move as an important step towards supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
20:01: Zelenskyy recalls the anniversary of the dam collapse in south Ukraine
One year ago, Russian invaders caused the collapse of a dam and Kakhovka hydroelectric power station in southern Ukraine, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his social media post. He characterized the act as an environmental crime, inflicting severe damage on people's lives and disrupting water supply for hundreds of thousands in the region. The security and stability of neighboring countries were also affected, he added.
Here's a recap of all previous updates.
Read also:
- The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to discussions about NATO's involvement, with some suggesting that Ukraine has the right to attack Russian military targets under international law, as affirmed by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
- Amidst increasing tensions, there have been concerns about potential cyberwarfare, with experts warning that Russia could use cyber tactics to disrupt military operations in Ukraine.
- The Russian behavior towards Ukraine has sparked a competitive approach from the United States, leading to the adoption of a "competitive" nuclear weapon strategy by the American administration.
- Russia's actions in Ukraine have also strained relations with its Western adversaries, prompting a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin for allies to reduce their reliance on Western currencies and increase their trade in non-Western currencies.
