9:57 PM: Zelensky requests immediate aid following Kharkiv explosions

Zelesky urgently seeks immediate aid following bombing in Kharkiv

After the Russian bombing assault on Kharkiv, a significant eastern Ukrainian city, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urgently pleaded for Western assistance with air defense. Zelenskyy claimed that the Ukraine had gained more capabilities to annihilate Russian bases for rocket launch and the accumulation of occupation troops near the border, as stated in his evening video message. Zelenskyy mentioned three fatalities and numerous injured due to Russian aggression. The authorities later revealed 56 injured individuals in the evening.

Reports suggest that Russia is launching missiles from warships in the Azov Sea. Dmytro Pletenchuk, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson, informed The Kyiv Independent about this. According to Pletenchuk, four of the 16 missiles are Kalibr cruise missiles. The missile strike originated from the Azov Sea as Russian forces believed the deployment in the Black Sea was too risky. Pletenchuk cautioned the Russian military not to feel overly secure in the Azov Sea. Ukrainian military reports indicate that about 30% of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was obliterated by Dec 2023.

Post-Russian attack on Kharkiv, the number of injured individuals increased to 52. This was announced by Igor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, via Telegram. Three of the victims were children initially.

According to Zelenskyy, Russia has launched over 2400 guided bombs since the beginning of the month. 700 of these were aimed at Kharkiv, Zelenskyy said in his evening address. He appealed to allies to grant military aid for the protection of the country.

A part of the Russian forces is reportedly withdrawing from the area around Wowchansk in the Charkiv region. This was stated by Nasar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Chortyzja Group, a formation of Ukrainian ground troops. Russia had initiated a new offensive in Charkiv's northern region on May 10. The city of Wowchansk became a battleground for some of the fiercest fighting.

On the 83rd anniversary, Putin commemorated the invasion of the Soviet Union with a military ceremony. Russian President Vladimir Putin is participating in this event, marking June 22, 1941, when Nazi Germany launched its campaign against the Soviet Union, known as "Barbarossa". Apart from Putin, the newly appointed Russian Defense Minister Andrei Removich Belousov, military commanders, veterans, and graduates of military academies are also participating.

The National Technical University in Iwano-Frankiwsk (Ukraine) has been severely damaged by a Russian attack. This is reported by Ukrainian Pravda. 14 buildings on the campus have been impacted. However, there were no reports of fatalities or injuries. Ukrainian Naftogaz has announced its intention to aid with the repair and reconstruction of the university.

Russian air defense systems destroyed a Ukrainian drone over the Bryansk region (Russia). This was reported by TASS, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.

The US is closing two Russian visa centers in New York and Washington. This is reported by Russian news agency TASS, citing the Russian ambassador to Washington, Anatoli Antonov. The American government is also allegedly withdrawing tax benefits from Russian diplomats. Antonov called this a "petty, malicious attack on Russian diplomats" in a statement to TASS. He reportedly hinted at possible retaliatory measures from Russia. In the Federal Republic of Germany, there are Russian visa centers located in Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, and Munich.

Post-Russian attack on Kharkiv, the number of fatalities increased to three. The governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleg Synegubov, announced this on Telegram. The injured count now stands at 37, with four of them being critical. Earlier, the mayor of the city, Igor Terekhov, reported on Telegram about two fatalities and 18 injuries. Zelenskyy responded to the attack with an appeal: "Russian terror using guided air bombs must and can be stopped. This requires courageous decisions from our partners to annihilate the Russian terrorists and their combat aircraft where they are."

16:16 Battles in Donetsk: Ukraine reports at least five casualtiesSeveral individuals have met their end in the Russian and Ukrainian-controlled zones of Donetsk, according to Ukraine. Wadym Filaschkin, Donetsk's Ukrainian governor, shared on Telegram that, on the previous day, five people were killed in the region due to Russian assaults, with seven more injured. Earlier, Denis Pushilin, the head of the Russian-installed administration in Donetsk, reported (see entry 14:22) that three people were killed and four were injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling.

15:45 Media Article: Satellite image reveals vast destruction at Southern Russian oil depotA Ukranian drone attack on a Russian oil depot in Asow during the night of June 18 reportedly destroyed three out of six fuel tanks. Mark Krutov, a correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), used satellite images in a post on X to display the destruction, in a before-after comparison. Krutov stated that it took three days to extinguish the fire at the Asow oil depot, and over the past few months, the Ukrainian forces have been attacking the Russian oil industry, which helps finance the ongoing war.

15:08 Ukraine: Two deaths following Russian attack on KharkivFollowing a Russian assault on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, it is reported that there are two fatal casualties and 18 wounded. Igor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, announced this on Telegram. Terekhov stated that there were four shelling incidents in a residential area of the metropolis, damaging a house.

14:47 Sunak: Farage supports Putin's effortsBritish Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has criticized Nigel Farage of the newly founded Reform UK party for purportedly playing into Russian President Vladimir Putin's hands with his comments on the war in Ukraine. "We have not incited this war," Farage previously stated, suggesting that the West holds some responsibility for the war. Farage also claimed that, of course, Putin is responsible for the war. However, he added: "He has used what we have done as justification." Sunak states that it is "completely incorrect" that the West has provoked Putin into launching an attack. "This is a man who has used nerve agents on the streets of Great Britain, deals with rogue nations like North Korea," Sunak says. "Such appeasement is dangerous for Britain's security, the security of our allies that rely on us, and it only encourages Putin further." On July 4, the approximately 46.6 million registered voters in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were called to new elections for the British Parliament.

14:22 Russia: Three casualties due to Ukrainian missile strike on DonetskAccording to the Russian occupation administration, three individuals were killed in a Ukrainian missile attack on the city of Donetsk. The city was allegedly hit by HIMARS missiles, according to Denis Pushilin, the Russian-appointed head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. Three additional people were injured in a drone attack near the settlement of Horlivka, and one person was injured in an explosion of a mine in Donetsk. The Donetsk region is located in eastern Ukraine and, alongside the Luhansk region, which Russia claims to have annexed, forms the industrial heartland of Donbass.

13:56 Russia engaged in "undermining of crucial infrastructure"Russia is increasingly sabotaging critical infrastructure in Europe. This includes GPS disruptions in the Baltic region. In Ukraine, the identities of over 56,000 fallen Russian soldiers are being confirmed. Security expert Frank Umbach evaluates the situation.

13:25 Ukraine orders additional French radar systems for air defenseUkraine has ordered another ControlMaster 200 Radar System from France for monitoring its airspace. According to the "Kyiv Post", Ukraine already received a similar system last year. This system encompasses not only a radar but also the ControlView GBAD C2 electronic system, which processes all radar data and provides precise data for the guidance and target acquisition of missiles to the air defense systems.

12:55 Eight civilians die from Russian attacks in UkraineIn Ukraine, eight civilians were killed by Russian attacks during the previous day, according to the "Kyiv Independent". Additionally, 19 people were injured in total during the attacks in 14 regions of the country. The city of Selydowe in the Donetsk region was particularly affected, with two people killed and three injured. The attackers damaged numerous buildings and houses.

12:20 Energy company announces more power outages due to Russian attacksFollowing new Russian air raids on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, energy suppliers have declared additional power outages in the affected country. According to Ukrenergo, power outages are expected across Ukraine between 14.00 (13.00 MESZ) and 24.00 (23.00 MESZ).

Russian Offensive Stalls Near Kharkiv - According to the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia has made little progress in its offensive in the Kharkiv region. The Ukrainian military reports that Russian troops launched ground attacks north of Kharkiv at Lyptsi and northeast of Kharkiv at Wowtschansk and Tyche on Thursday evening, but not on Friday. Instead, heavy bombing raids were conducted. Russian bloggers claim that Ukrainian forces continued their counterattacks near Hlyboke. Intense fighting continued in Wowtschansk, with a blogger claiming that the Russian troops had taken control of the entire power plant.

Poorly Equipped Captured Vehicle - In the war against Ukraine, Russian soldiers use specially equipped tanks. One such mine-resistant armored vehicle was captured by the Ukrainians, possibly in Donetsk. The Ukrainians are now analyzing their loot and discovering its strengths and weaknesses.

Anticipated Additional Support for Ukraine - US Diplomat John Bass anticipates further steps from Western allies to support Ukraine in the coming weeks. Bass said that if the US and its allies sit down at the table with Ukraine in the coming week and if President Zelensky is welcomed in Washington in the next month, there will be additional steps to support Ukraine. Bass also noted that the US step, the delivery of military equipment, in particular anti-aircraft missiles to other countries and then to Ukraine, is unprecedented.

Ukrainian Success in Black Sea Naval War - Nowhere is the Ukrainian fight against the Russian Goliath as successful as in the Black Sea. Media outlet ntv.de shows how Moscow lost its ships and control through improvised inventions, needles, and a military strategy.

Ukrainian Air Defense Effective Against Russian Rockets - The Ukrainian air defense intercepted roughly three quarters of all Russian rockets from the previous night. Seven out of ten X-101/X-555 missiles deployed were intercepted, according to the Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram. Four Kalibr missiles and one out of two Iskander missiles were also intercepted. In addition, 13 Shahed drones were shot down. The rocket attacks were launched from the Black Sea, the occupied Crimea, and the Russian mainland.

Identities of Over 56,000 Fallen Russian Soldiers Confirmed - The independent Russian platform Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC, has confirmed the identities of 56,858 Russian soldiers who have fallen in Ukraine since February 2022. The actual numbers are likely to be much higher, as the verified information comes from public sources such as obituaries, contributions from relatives, regional media reports, and statements from local authorities.

Injuries From Russian Rocket Attacks - Two people were injured in a Russian rocket attack on energy infrastructure in the south and west of the country. Two technicians were injured and taken to the hospital after a massive attack in Zaporizhzhia. Two facilities in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia were also damaged by the attack.

Inaccessible Russian Airbases for Ukraine - Despite US authorization for the use of Western weapons against targets in Russia, important airbases there remain inaccessible for Ukraine. Russian jets are reportedly stationed on these military installations, dropping bombs on Ukrainian cities.

Rockets Hit Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure - Russian forces conducted rocket and drone attacks on several regions of Ukraine during the night. A Russian rocket hit the energy infrastructure in the Lviv Oblast, causing a fire. The extent of the damages is currently unknown. Civilian infrastructure was also damaged in other cities due to Russian attacks.

New Drone Attacks in Western Ukraine - The Ukrainian air defense is registering new drone attacks from the Ivano-Frankivsk region in western Ukraine. Explosions are reported in the region, and the regional military administration is urging the population not to publish photos of the explosions "to not help the enemy." There are currently no further reports of potential targets for the incoming missiles in Ukraine.

04:59 Poland's Response to Russian Attacks: Scrambling Combat JetsIn response to a Russian rocket assault targeting Ukraine, Poland deployed military aircraft. The Polish military headquarters reported on the Z platform: "We've got some noise brewing down south as Polish and allied aircraft take off in our airspace due to the increased likelihood of noise levels." Observers detected an intense, long-range Russian air activity possibly linked to strikes involving cruise missiles, "Shaheed"-type drones, and ballistic missiles, with the focus being on western Ukraine.

03:59 US Imposes Sanctions on Kaspersky Lab ExecutivesThe US administration imposed sanctions on a dozen executives of the AO Kaspersky Lab software company. The US Treasury Department asserted: "Today's action against Kaspersky Lab's leadership showcases our unwavering commitment to protecting the cybersecurity of our nation and our citizens from harmful cyber threats." The sanctions bar US-based firms and individuals from conducting business and financial transactions with the designated individuals, whose assets within the US have been frozen. The US government banned Kaspersky's antivirus software sales from September 29th. The company denies any affiliations with the Russian military or intelligence services.

02:58 Russian Power Plants Under Drone AttackRussian authorities reported a Ukrainian drone strike on two power plants situated in Enerhodar, which also supply power to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. According to the authorities, the power plants are currently offline, leaving most of the city dwellers without power. However, reports from Russian news outlets claim that the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was undamaged. The agencies attribute the information to the head of the communications department at Zaporizhzhia, who claims that the drone attack had no impact on the nuclear power plant, as repairs can be made. Ukraine has yet to comment on the matter, with independent verification being absent.

01:57 Farage Accuses West of Encouraging Putin's AggressionBritish right-wing populist Nigel Farage lays blame on the West for sharing responsibility for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. "We've goaded him," elucidates Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party in a BBC interview, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He points out the EU and NATO expansion as giving Putin a reason to wage war and argue his defense to his people that "the West is against them." At the same time, Farage sees Putin as the aggressor: "Of course, it's his error." The seasoned EU parliamentarian Farage played a key role in Brexit.

00:55 War Victims Shouldn't Be Politicized, Warns Ukrainian AmbassadorUkrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev cautions against exploiting the debate on Ukrainian refugees for political gain. Makeiev addressed the German Press Agency (dpa) regarding the criticism that too few of the Ukrainian refugees in Germany are working and too many are collecting social benefits. "War victims should not be employed for electoral purposes," emphasizes Makeiev. "Many of them boast a university degree, some even holding a doctorate; yet they remain jobless here." Makeiev maintains close contact with Ukrainian asylum seekers, proactively endeavoring to integrate them into the labor market.

23:26 Commencement of EU Negotiations for Ukraine as Per ZelenskyyUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims Ukraine has achieved a significant milestone on its path towards the EU. "The European Union has green-lit the framework for Ukraine's negotiations; many have striven tirelessly towards this objective on various levels," Zelenskyy declared in his evening address. With this, negotiations can officially commence. The president glorifies this as a "significant achievement." Zelenskyy has already established a negotiating delegation for the accession talks and expresses confidence in the success of the negotiations. "Ukraine belongs to the united Europe," reaffirms the President.

22:14 Ukraine to Hold Another International Peace Conference Before Year-EndUkraine plans to conduct another international peace conference before the year concludes, according to Igor Schowkwa, the first deputy head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration. "We aim to organize the second peace summit before December 31," Schowkwa told Interfax Ukraine. "Ukraine desires peace more than anyone else as swiftly as possible," Schowkwa added. "There is a high probability" that the ensuing conference will take place "in a country of the global South." The previous peace conference transpired on June 15-16 in Switzerland. Schowkwa avows that Ukraine is "ready at a moment's notice" to re-engage in negotiations with Russia if Moscow promptly withdraws its forces from Ukrainian territory.

21:38 Netherlands Cancel Delivery of Patriot System to UkraineThe Netherlands have entered into an agreement with another state to deliver a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced the decision to the Dutch news agency ANP. Ollongren did not disclose information about the cooperation partner or the anticipated delivery date for the system. In May it was reported that the Netherlands intended to construct and deliver a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine with the assistance of other countries in a short span of time.

Estonia Shuts Down Narva Border Crossing to Russia Temporarily

For security reasons, Estonia is temporarily closing the Narva border crossing to Russia over the weekend. The country's police and border control authority stated that this decision comes due to sluggish border controls on the Russian side, resulting in hours-long wait times for border crossers on Thursday and Friday. To protect public health and maintain order, the border crossing will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday, the authority declared.

Estonian media suspect that the extended control delays could be linked to the forthcoming celebrations marking the Estonian victory against the Red Army in 1919 on June 23. If you're interested in learning more about previous developments, follow this link.