Volunteers craft numerous kamikaze drones to support Ukraine.
The Ukraine is experiencing a shortage of both troops and weapons. To make up for this, the production of suicide drones is being stepped up. Hordes of volunteers are assembling these aerial vehicles by hand, which are then set to spy on and attack Russian military outposts.
In a statement by a government representative from the West, it's been confirmed that Ukraine has utilized US-supplied weapons for attacks within Russia. This aligns with the new guidelines issued by US President Joe Biden, the representative revealed to the AP news agency.
A Russian blogger named Anna Bashutova has been slapped with a prison sentence of more than five years for broadcasting about the Russian-led massacre in Bucha, Ukraine. A court in Moscow made this decision, claiming that Bashutova spread fabricated information regarding the mistreatment of civilians by the Russian army. In court, Bashutova called the judgement "distasteful and despicable." Her attorney, Andrey Nevreva, plans to appeal the decision. Bashutova's crime? She read out statements from Bucha residents on the streaming platform Twitch in July 2023, accusing the Russian military of committing atrocities. In response, pro-Russian bloggers who supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine began targeting her. A few months later, the police appeared at her residence, seized her video materials, and blocked her Twitch channel.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, has traveled to Qatar for talks with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. On social media, Zelenskyy expressed his intention to discuss the mediating role of Qatar in the return of Ukrainian kids kidnapped to Russia. Other topics on the table include economic issues between the two countries and the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland.
Men aged 18 to 60, who are Ukrainian citizens but have been abroad for more than three months, can no longer be exempt from military service. To report to the military within 30 days is now mandatory for these individuals, according to a statement by the spokesperson for the Ukrainian border guard, Andriy Demchenko. This new law took effect on June 1.
A child evacuations operation is taking place in the Solotshiv area. The head of the military administration of Solotshiv, Viktor Kovalenko, made this clear in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. This region, located in Kharkiv and just a few kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border, has become a hotly contested area.
In St. Petersburg, a 60-year-old man with both US and Russian citizenship was sentenced to three and a half years in a penal colony for tarnishing the memory of the Soviet army in World War II. Besides this, he's forbidden from posting on the internet or on any other communications platform for one and a half years, as per the court's press service on Telegram. This man, who works as a security guard in New York, was arrested in Russia in December 2023 for two posts on the social media site Odnoklassniki. In the posts, he allegedly made offensive remarks about the orange-black St. George's ribbon, a symbol of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. He has admitted his guilt.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius intends to boost the readiness of the German military due to the potential threat from Russia. "We must be battle-ready by 2029," he stated during the German parliament's questioning. "We must ward off and prevent the worst from happening." The focus is on funding, equipment, and manpower. "When faced with an emergency, we need healthy young men and women who can protect this country," Pistorius emphasized. He views a "new form of conscription" as essential, which cannot be "completely without obligations." In Germany, conscription was suspended in 2011. The anticipated proposals for a potential reintroduction from Pistorius will likely arrive soon.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans to fortify the readiness of the German military given the potential threat from Russia. "We must be ready for battle by 2029," he remarked during the parliamentary question session. "We must deter and prevent the worst from unfolding." The focal points involve finance, materials, and manpower. "In an emergency, we need fit, young males who can defend this nation," Pistorius stressed. As a result, he deems it essential to introduce a "new form of conscription" with obligations that aren't entirely voluntary. In Germany, conscription was suspended in 2011.
In Poland, a new panel formed to investigate the potential impact of Russian and Belarusian secret services on the country over the past two decades has begun its work. The panel consists of 12 security professionals, as revealed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. It's led by General Jaroslaw Strozyk, head of military counterintelligence. No politicians are involved in the committee. Russia views Poland as an adversary because it's a significant military backer of Ukraine and a logistical base for Western military aid to Kiev. Like other EU countries, Poland worries about covert actions associated with Russian intelligence services.
In Ukraine, one person has been killed and five more injured due to Russian assaults in the eastern part of the country. According to Ukrainian authorities, these attacks took place in the Donetsk region this morning. Governor of the district, Vadim Filaschkin, announced on Telegram that "following the bombardments this morning in the Donetsk region," one individual was killed, and five others sustained injuries. The attacks struck civilians in the city of Torezk. Another person was hurt in an aerial attack on the city of Selydowe, near the frontline, Filaschkin shared. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces are currently targeting the Donetsk region. The Kremlin declared Donetsk and three other Ukrainian areas annexed in the fall of 2022, though they don't have complete control over them.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius excludes the deployment of German soldiers in Ukraine. He reinforced this in a German Bundestag session. When asked by AfD MP Ruediger Lucassen if Germany had considered such measures in the European Union and France, and if they were considering deploying German soldiers to Ukraine, Pistorius replied, "The answers to their questions are no and no."
A Ukrainian government official shared with Financial Times that Ukraine could struggle with power for most of the day during winter. They also revealed that the recent attacks on energy facilities caused a loss of 1.2 gigawatts of power generation, and critical infrastructure for transporting gas from underground storage facilities in western Ukraine was severely damaged. Finance Times reported that Ukraine's power production has decreased by half since the start of the war, from approximately 55 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts.
In a Russian-occupied village in southern Ukraine, eleven people were reportedly hurt by Ukrainian artillery fire, according to the administration of the occupied territory. The leader of the Russian-appointed administration for the region of Zaporizhzhia, Yevgeny Balitsky, shared on Telegram that a five-year-old girl had passed away from her wounds. There's no independent confirmation of the event. The village of Novoslobodskoe experienced bombardment on Tuesday evening. Based on maps of the front lines, the Ukrainian village is approximately 3 kilometers behind the border.
Swiss fighter jets performed emergency landings on an autobahn. Incidents occurred near the village of Dübendorf, Switzerland. The pilots managed to land securely without injury or damage. The Swiss Air Force confirmed the situation and stated that the pilots had been practicing this maneuver. The autobahn was shut down temporarily to remove the aircraft.
The Swiss Air Force carried out emergencies landings on a highway at 260 km/h. The event happened close to the village of Dübendorf. The air force disclosed that pilots performed a perfect landing. The planes were landing at a speed of approximately 260 kilometers per hour. The last time the Swiss Air Force conducted this exercise was in 1991. The threat situation has markedly changed since then, claims Brigadier Christian Oppliger, deputy commander of the air force: "The air force must be prepared for everything." No longer is it just about defense, but also countering enemy ground-air systems. Swiss air force aims to deter soldiers up to 100 kilometers beyond the border. The goal of the exercise was also to evaluate how quickly the air force could return to action after a potential first attack on military airfields elsewhere.
The Ukrainian administration embraces Harris' commitment to the peace conference in Switzerland. The Ukrainian head of the presidential administration considers the confirmation of Harris' attendance at the June 15-16 meeting an "important message." The government had initially wanted the United States President Biden in attendance. Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will meet on Thursday in France, where celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy mark the event. Another meeting is scheduled at the G7 summit in Italy in the coming week.
10:55 Scholz intends to procure more Eurofighters, calling for a "renewal" in Germany's and Europe's defense industry
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated his intention to provide the defense industry in Germany and Europe with "recurrent orders" to expand production capacities at the launch of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin. "We have a significant interest in having a robust air and space capability in Germany and Europe," Scholz remarked. "Hence, we intend to order an additional 20 Eurofighters during this parliamentary term, on top of the 38 aircraft that have not yet been finalized." The leader referred to the need for a defense industry "revitalization." Furthermore, he endorsed additional avenues, such as exports of the Eurofighter. "I am committed to preserving and expanding manufacturing capabilities," Scholz stated, addressing the defense sector. For more information, check this out.
10:34 Munz at the peace conference: Nations are backing out, Russia is allegedly being successful
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressures nations to attend a peace conference in Switzerland, Russia works to discourage as many countries as feasible, according to NTV reporter Rainer Munz. At the beginning of the conflict, 141 UN member states condemned Russia's aggression, but a significantly lower number find themselves willing to participate in the upcoming summit.
10:01 Have security measures for Putin increased?
The Moscow Times reported that Russian officials have mentioned increased security measures for Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. The officials claimed that Russia's security forces have been tightening safety precautions more than ever before. A source close to the Kremlin also voiced similar sentiments. Furthermore, based on information from one of the officials, Putin has been wearing a bulletproof vest during public appearances since 2023. The Kremlin, however, has always maintained that no changes have been made to Putin's security measures. The sources cited cited concerns like a warrant for Putin's arrest by the International Criminal Court, potential drone attacks from Ukraine, and potential terrorist attacks as reasons behind these measures.
09:27 Nikopol subjected to heavy artillery fire, as per Ukrainian administration
The Russian military is bombarding Nikopol, according to the Ukrainian administration. Overnight and this morning, Nikopol on the Dnieper River received heavy artillery and kamikaze drone assaults, reported the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region. There were no casualties, but five houses and a power line were damaged. Four drones were downed in the vicinity, the governor further mentioned.
08:51 Drone footage showcases tense flight through Russian air defense
Russian defense forces of the 71st Fighter Brigade monitor Russian actions behind the front line with their "Storks." The unit has observed a decreasing amount of hostile activities. However, Ukrainian drones are permeating ever deeper into Russian territory, compelling Russian air defense to respond.
08:16 Putin to Field Questions from Foreign Journalists for the First Time Since the Onset of the War in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin will face questions from Western journalists for the first time since the outset of the two-year-long conflict against Ukraine at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This forum occurred in 2022 and 2023. The event will take place from Wednesday to Saturday.
07:47 Ukraine observes most Russian military activity in Donetsk
Ukraine's General Staff reported a challenging situation at the eastern front. There have been reports of numerous assaults northwest of Donetsk. The military reported 37 attacks in the direction of the city of Pokrovsk overnight. Russian forces are primarily active in the region around Ocheretyne. This location lies between Donetsk and Pokrovsk.
07:13 Drone assaults continue to plague Ukraine
Ukraine was targeted by Russian drones again last night. Ukranian troops managed to down 22 of the 27 drones. The drones were destroyed in the south, northeast, and central Ukraine. One damaging incident occurred in the Poltava region, where one person was hurt and an industrial facility was harmed, regional governor Filip Pronin shared.
06:45 U.S. State Department: US-Ukrainian Males With Dual Citizenship Unable to Leave Ukraine
The US Embassy in Ukraine alerts male US citizens who also have Ukrainian citizenship to avoid traveling to Ukraine due to the potential inability to depart indefinitely. The embassy asserts that these individuals may be denied exit, even if they possess a US passport. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, only men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country.
06:09 Ukraine is Recruiting Drone Operators
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is launching a campaign to hire drone pilots for the military, "Ukrajinska Pravda" reports. The age requirement is 18 and up. First, candidates must take an online course, followed by drone operation training. Later, they will have to sign up for the army.
In other news, NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg criticizes China for skipping the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. Stoltenberg, a Norwegian, dubs it "unfortunate" that China won't be participating in the event. The Chinese have been unable to denounce Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Stoltenberg adds, which is a flagrant breach of international regulations. Leaders of China and Russia had previously agreed to provide each other with unlimited support. Since the invasion, it has become obvious that China is assisting Russia's war economy by handing over advanced technology, microelectronics, microchips, and other resources.
US President Biden is slated to have two significant meetings with Ukrainian President Selenskyj in the upcoming days. These meetings include attending celebrations honoring the 80th anniversary of the Allies' landing in France and taking part in the G7 summit in Italy.
Ukrainian authorities claim that Russian forces are setting up "filtration camps" in the contested city of Vovchansk. Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, shared this information on state TV. These camps serve the purpose of identifying and recording Ukrainian residents in areas occupied by Russians. There have been accounts of cruelty, sexual abuse, and relocations in the past. Most of the few people who remain in Vovchansk are being employed by the invaders as human shields.
The former head of Ukraine's arms procurement is facing trial on bribery charges. He is alleged to have agreed to pay exorbitant prices for aircraft parts with a private company. The charges are linked to an incident in 2016 and are not connected to the current conflict between the Ukrainian military and Russian attacks. The accused and his business partner have already been indicted.
Law enforcement officers violently dispersed supporters of the late Russian critic Alexei Navalny who gathered for a small memorial event at a venue in Moscow. At least 30 people who attended the event were temporarily arrested, searched, and interrogated, according to the human rights organization Ovd-Info. A video recently surfaced that shows several masked officers storming the location. Navalny would have turned 48 years old on the day. The wife of the Ukrainian President, Olena Zelenska, requested support for safeguarding children from allies during a commemoration event and argued that the protection of children is more crucial than the expense of anti-aircraft defenses.
Over 600 children have been killed since the conflict in Ukraine started in 2022, and more than 1,400 others have been injured, according to United Nations representative Denise Brown. The real number of children who lost their lives is likely much higher. At a remembrance event in Kyiv, President's wife Olena Zelenska urged the allies to support Ukraine in obtaining more weapons to safeguard the young ones.
Recent images of Roman Horilyk, a Ukrainian soldier from the National Guard, have been circulating on social media. These images show Horilyk in a severely emaciated state, as described by noted journalist Illia Ponomarenko. Ponomarenko shared these images and noted that they were taken when Horilyk returned to Ukraine after being held captive by the Russians. Horilyk was captured at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and spent over two years in Russian detention. Many people have been drawing comparisons to prisoners from German concentration camps based on the soldier's appearance.
19:11 Images Reveal Damage to Russian Air Defense System
Recent images of a Russian S-300/400 air defense system have caught the attention of the public. These images, shared on social media, show the charred remains of launch pads and a damaged command center for the system. Moscow denies that it was struck, but there are multiple videos and images that suggest a successful attack, as well as satellite images obtained by Radio Liberty. It's believed that the attack was carried out with a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher provided to Ukraine by the United States.
Recently, Ukraine has been allowed to target Russian territory to defend the region of Kharkiv.
19:33 Zelensky: Next Few Weeks Crucial for Ukraine's Future
Ukrainian President Zelensky has stated that his country is entering a critical period. "It's still early June, but the coming weeks will determine the entire summer and, in many respects, the entire year," he said in a video address. Zelensky cited various issues that could affect his nation, including the peace summit in Switzerland, Ukraine's relationship with the EU, the frontline situation, and the country's production capabilities.
19:06 Russia Targets Europe with Disinformation Campaigns
Before the European elections, Russian disinformation campaigns have been particularly active in Germany, France, and Poland. According to the EU Vice Commissioner Vera Jourova, these countries have been frequent targets of Russia's disinformation efforts. In Germany, the most common manipulated topics have been related to "questions of immigration and security." Jourova shared the evaluation of the European Observatory for Online Media (EDMO). Russian disinformation efforts often focus on issues related to the war in Ukraine. The combined voting population of Germany, France, and Poland amounts to around 145 million potential voters, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the EU's electorate.
Read also:
- The Ukraine conflict has led to increased military operations, with volunteers crafting kamikaze drones to support Ukrainian forces in spying on and attacking Russian military outposts.
- In response to the conflict, Nato has provided Ukraine with weapons to use in attacks within Russia, following new guidelines issued by US President Joe Biden.
- The Ukraine conflict has also seen cyberwarfare, with Russian hackers targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure and databases.
- As the Ukraine conflict continues, the threat of a wider military engagement between Ukraine and Russia, and potential involvement of NATO, remains a concern for military strategists in Europe.
