6:33 PM: Trump engages in conversation with Putin once more
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Ukraine War Live Ticker +++ 18:33 Putin Speaks to Trump Again
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Donald Trump has chatted up Vladimir Putin once more. The Kremlin, leaking info from their secret chit-chat to Russian media outlets, emphasized that the Middle East's dangerous escalation following mutual attacks between Israel and Iran dominated the conversation. Furthermore, Putin shared intel about implementing agreements reached in late-May talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul.
17:43 Selenskyj: Tone in Dialog Between USA and Russia "Too Friendly"
Volodymyr Selenskyj (you know, Ukraine's big shot) this time around is urging Western powers to toughen their tone towards Mother Russia. "The tone in the diplomatic dancing between the USA and Russia is currently too sweet," Selenskyj clarified, exuding cynicism towards Trump's warming up to Putin. He bluntly admitted that such cozy backslapping won't halt Putin's aggression. "Let's face facts: that won't stop Putin. What we really need is a strong stand," Selenskyj snarked.
16:58 Russian State Conglomerate to Build First NPP in Kazakhstan
In a praiseworthy endeavor, state-owned Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom scored the contract to lead an international consortium in constructing Kazakhstan's inaugural nuclear power plant. Rosatom will develop the plant at Ulken on the expansive Balchas Lake, as confirmed by Kazakhstan's nuclear authority. During the Soviet era, Kazakhstan was a hub for nuclear power plants. However, after gaining independence in 1991, these were gradually phased out and decommissioned. Additionally, Kazakhstan, like Belarus and Ukraine, surrendered its nuclear weapons stockpiles.
16:22 Selenskyj: Hopes Military Aid for Ukraine Will Not Decrease Despite Middle East Escalation
Despite the military conflict Hellfire between Israel and Iran, Ukrainian President Selenskyj remains hopeful that military assistance to his nation will not diminish. "We'd prefer that the aid for Ukraine doesn't shrink, given the mess in the Middle East. That was a factor that held up assistance for Ukraine last round," Selenskyj stated in a news conference. The tumult in the Mideast could escalate help directed to Israel, potentially at the expense of Ukraine, Selenskyj hinted.
15:41 Selenskyj: "No One Could Stop Putin - Only Trump Remains"
In a direct Telegram post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj shone a spotlight on the explicit part played by the US government in potentially defusing the Russian invasion. "No one could halt Putin's onslaught. Only Trump has the fortitude to do so," Selenskyj trumpeted. To achieve this feat, Putin needs to be left broke, according to Selenskyj, the only way to prevent him from further muscle-flexing his military. Selenskyj implored tougher sanctions against the banking sector, the Russian shadow fleet, and most importantly, the energy sector. "Reducing oil prices is essential as oil fuels much of their revenue," Selenskyj stressed. The current turmoil in the Middle East has sent oil prices upward, jeopardizing Europe's security. Sanctions, Selenskyj pointed out, are "a formidable instrument," provided they're used judiciously. If existing measures are meticulously enforced to block Russia's access to vital rocket components, the production of lethal weapons can be significantly curtailed.
Politics Ukraine Reports Successes in Sumy: "No One Could Stop Putin - Only Trump Remains" 14:58 Kyiv and Moscow Exchange Prisoners Again Despite recurring chaos in Ukraine, there's some good news. Ukraine and Russia have yet again executed a prisoner exchange. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, heralded the event. The Russian Defense Ministry conceded that "another group of Russian soldiers returned from the region governed by Kyiv's regime," yet neither side divulged the exact number of soldiers traded.
14:31 Ukraine Receives Bodies of 1,200 More Killed Ukrainians from Russia Mortal remains of another 1,200 Ukrainian fatalities, including military personnel, have been returned to Ukraine. This staggering information came from the Telegram channel of Ukraine's Main Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. The return of corpses and the prisoner exchange between Russian and Ukrainian representatives were temporarily arranged at meetings in Istanbul last month.
13:58 Zelenskyy: Russian Advance in Sumy Region Halted Ukrainian troops have successfully thwarted Russian advances in the Sumy region, confirmed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The battle is concentrated along the frontier, Zelenskyy indicated. Russia has amassed around 53,000 soldiers in the region, hoping to create a "buffer zone" in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
13:34 Ukrainian Intelligence Arrests Man in Zaporizhzhia for Coordinating Attacks on His Own City SBU, Ukraine's main security agency, announced they've nabbed yet another suspect in Zaporizhzhia. Suspected of assisting Russia in orchestrating attacks on Ukrainian territory, the 42-year-old ruse may have been drawn into Putin's nefarious schemes via Telegram channels. Intelligence suggests that Moscow was particularly keen on understanding the locations of Ukrainian military control points, industrial facilities, particularly defense plants, and strategic infrastructure.
13:10 Report: Meeting Between Zelenskyy and Trump Planned for G7 Summit The office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed a secret meeting scheduled with US President Donald Trump at the upcoming G7 summit slated for June 17. This clandestine rendezvous has been exposed by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent." "Both teams are actively working to set this meeting up," Zelenskyy spilled in a confidential meeting attended by journalists from the newspaper. This will be the third private meeting between these heads of state. Their last one took place at the conclusion of April in Vatican City on the occasion of Pope Francis' passing. The encounter was described as favorable and harmonious by both camps, yet few details were shared.
12:49 ISW: Escalation in the Middle East could bolster Russia's oil sales revenues According to analysts at the think tank "Institute For The Study Of War" (ISW), turmoil in the Middle East might inch up Russia's oil sales earnings while enhancing their capacity to continue the invasion of Ukraine. The analysts stated that the clash could boost Russia's oil sales revenues, which provides a means for the nation to maintain its aggressive stance in Ukraine, given that these reprieves allow them to survive economically. Analysts reckon that Russian oil and gas sales revenues accounted for approximately 30% of the country's total state income in the previous year. "Russia can utilize sudden oil price increases to counteract economic strain and prolong the struggle in Ukraine, provided the oil price remains substantial (e.g., above $60 per barrel)," the report suggests. Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin had indicated concerns over falling oil prices, warning they could destabilize the Russian economy.
12:02 Moscow: 66 Ukrainian drones intercepted and destroyed overnight Russian air defense reportedly shot down 66 drones over Russian territory during the nightly hours. This information was shared by Russia's Defense Ministry, as reported by state news agency Tass. The alleged drones were intercepted over territories like Voronezh, Belgorod, Stavropol, Crimea, Samara, and the Azov Sea.
11:16 Ukrainian General Staff confirms attacks on Russian chemical factories The Ukrainian General Staff has reportedly launched an attack on two chemical factories in the Russian regions of Samara and Stavropol. The objective is to minimize Russia's capabilities for explosives and ammunition production.
10:39 Plot to bomb officer: Ukrainian intelligence detains man from Odessa Ukrainian intelligence SBU has reportedly detained another Russian agent in Odessa. The 31-year-old individual is suspected of plotting a bomb attack against a Ukrainian army officer, according to a statement by Ukraine's state news agency Ukrinform. The investigation suggests that the suspect was recruited via Telegram.
09:55 Ukraine attacks Russian chemical factories with drones According to Russian media accounts, Ukraine has allegedly launched a coordinated assault on strategic industrial facilities within Russia using combat drones. Sources revealed that one target was the Asot chemical plant in southern city Novoinossisk, whose products are important for explosives production. The governor of Stavropol region, Vladimir Vladimirov, officially acknowledged that drone debris crashed in the industrial region of Novoinossisk. No casualties were reported. Witnesses claimed to have heard at least ten explosions over the city. The factory sustained no visible damage. An assault was also reported on the city of Novokuybyshevsk near Samara on the Volga. Russia also reported an assault on the western border.
09:27 Kyiv: Over 1100 Russian Soldiers "Killed In Action" in a Day
Kyiv reports massive losses sustained by the Russian forces: Over 1130 Russian soldiers were eliminated or injured within a day. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, a total of over one million Russian soldiers have been "eliminated" since the start of the Russian incursion in February 2022. The ministry's daily reports on Russian losses also specify the destruction of eight additional tanks (10,937 in total). Since the onset of the war, Ukraine has chronicled the loss, capture, or destruction of nearly 22,800 armored vehicles and around 40,500 drones by the Russian military. It should be noted that these figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow continues to withhold open sharing about its own losses in Ukraine.
08:38 Ukrainian Military: Russian Warship Spotted in Black Sea
A Russian warship endowed with Kalibr cruise missiles has reportedly been detected in the Black Sea, according to a statement made by the Ukrainian Navy's Facebook page. There is currently no enemy fleet in the Azov Sea. Three Russian warships, including a Kalibr missile carrier, capable of launching up to eight missiles, are, however, deployed in the Mediterranean Sea.
08:09 Renewed Night Attacks: Ukrainian Air Defense Shoots Down 43 of 58 Drones
Since late Friday evening, Ukrainian air defense forces have reportedly neutralized 43 out of 58 drones deployed by the Russian military to attack Ukraine, as reported by Ukrinform through a Telegram statement. These drone raids commenced at 10 PM local time from locations such as Bryansk, Oryol, Millerovo, Shatalovo, and Primorsko-Achtarsk. The main targets were the regions of Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia. The air raid was repelled by air defense missile units, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian armed forces. 23 drones were destroyed by gunfire, and 20 were suppressed or jammed by electronic warfare. Hits were confirmed at nine locations, and drone debris was found at five locations.
07:09 Ukraine Launches Serial Production of Self-Developed Sapsan Missile
The Sapsan ballistic short-range missile, a Ukrainian design, has successfully completed combat trials and is now in serial production, as alleged by several Ukrainian media outlets. The tests were reportedly conducted in May following a successful hit on a Russian military target from a range of approximately 300 km. Valentyn Badrak, head of the independent Ukrainian Center for Army, Conversion, and Disarmament Studies, divulged these details in an interview with Liga.net. There is currently no timeline for the deployment of these missiles in regular combat operations.
06:32 Saporishshia Under Drone Attack at Night The Ukrainian town of Saporishshia was reportedly attacked by drones during the nighttime hours, according to Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional military administration, on Telegram. "Current information indicates that Saporishshia was attacked by 14 Shahed drones. Two police officers sustained injuries. A humanitarian facility was set ablaze due to the Russian attack. Cars, a business, and a public transport stop were damaged. The blast wave shattered windows in residential buildings."
05:41 Friendly Fire? Russian Su-25 Jet Reportedly Crashes in Donetsk Region In an unusual twist, Russian sources have claimed that a Russian Su-25 fighter jet crashed in the Donetsk region. Footage of the crash, circulated by bloggers with close links to the Russian air force on social media, suggests that the airplane wrecked in a field while being trailed by another fighter jet. Details regarding the crash's cause and whether friendly fire played a role are unclear. Neither the Ukrainian nor the Russian military has commented on the reported crash yet.
04:49 Klöckner Advocates for General Conscription The chairperson of the German parliamentary group Bundestag, Julia Klöckner, has raised the idea of reintroducing universal conscription. "I'm a supporter of mandatory conscription, which encompasses other aspects of social life," Klöckner informed RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland. She also suggested that reviving the terminated military conscription, initiated in 2011, is conceivable. "In my capacity as a coalition partner, we require a different troop strength. If we aim for volunteers only, we won't succeed. Consequently, we need to think about reintroducing military conscription. The coalition agreement mentions 'voluntary - initially.' This does not necessarily preclude the possibility that military conscription could be reinstated, contingent upon demand and with adequate infrastructure," Klöckner clarified.
03:39 German Deployment Veterans Association Welcomes Veteran's Day Bernhard Drescher, head of the German Deployment Veterans Association, welcomed the first-ever Veteran's Day for former Bundeswehr soldiers to be celebrated this Sunday. "We're fairly enthusiastic about Veteran's Day," Drescher stated, drawing attention to past efforts over the past 15 years. "It's a day for reflection and understanding. Something is happening!" However, Drescher underlined that engagement and interest varied. "It's nonsensical for veterans to organize their own recognition. You should think the other way around."
02:36 Pistorius swears in soldiers to rising demands In honor of the upcoming Veteran's Day, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has honored the men and women of the German Armed Forces for their service while administering an oath to meet increasing demands. "The Veteran's Day is about expressing gratitude to all the men and women who are committed to ensuring the external security of our country, even at the risk of their own lives. This includes the ten million veterans, both active and former soldiers," Pistorius revealed in an interview with the "Rheinische Post." "The Veteran's Day is about expressing gratitude and understanding. This is a day for reflection," the minister continued. "It's obvious that the demands placed on our soldiers will rise. We must emphasize that we can defend our country and the alliance if it is attacked."
Politics "Defend our country" Pistorius swears in soldiers to rising demands 01:23 Thuringia's SPD leader warns against approaching "the tone of Sahra Wagenknecht" The chairman of Thuringia's SPD, Georg Maier, has vehemently criticized a "manifesto" issued by prominent SPD officials advocating a more pacific approach to Russia and a departure from the current arms policy. "The manifesto is illogical, an utter misrepresentation of reality, and therefore unhelpful," Maier conveyed to RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland. Maier underscored that the manifesto gave the impression that the West hadn't attempted every possible diplomatic maneuver before confronting Russia over Ukraine. Per Maier, "we certainly don't require an approach akin to Sahra Wagenknecht's tone."
00:00 Spahn open to return of conscription The reigning chairperson of the Union parliamentary group, Jens Spahn, has expressed openness to the reintroduction of compulsory military service in Germany. Spahn spoke to the "Rheinische Post" about the need to strengthen Germany's military and assembly a force of over sixty thousand additional soldiers, both male and female. If such a force size can be achieved voluntarily, that's fantastic. However, Spahn expressed his belief that conscription is needed to reach this target. Furthermore, Spahn conceded that if the pre-2011 conscription system were reactivated, it would apply only to males per the Basic Law. The change would necessitate constitutional amendment.
Politics "High threat level" German general in Lithuania: "We're preparing for everything" 23:10 German general in Lithuania: "We're preparing for everything" Brigade General Christoph Huber described the peril level in the Baltic NATO nations as "very high." Ever since last September, he has been spearheading the formation of the new German Army brigade in Lithuania. "We are here to defend NATO territory," reiterated Huber during the "Morning Briefing" podcast from T-online, emphasizing the significance of the German Army's presence. By deploying this tank brigade, a larger number of German soldiers will be stationed abroad than ever before. Considering potential threats from Russia, Huber explained, "we're hunkering down for everything." Exercises and training are specifically tailored to fortify the battle readiness of troops to counterbale enemy capabilities. "We demonstrate our prowess in our domain. We are specialists in our field. That's an important message to Russia."
Politics "Tragic bus accident in France claims many Ukrainian lives, including children" A tragic bus accident resulted in the death of numerous Ukrainian citizens, including children, in France. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X, the bus was transporting people returning from an exchange with a French high school in Brittany. Three of the four adult fatalities were Ukrainian nationals. Ukrainian diplomats are collaborating with local authorities to offer assistance to the victims and families. Zelensky expressed his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron, who's keeping a close watch on the situation. The French news channel France Info reported, citing sources, that a crisis meeting was summoned at the French Foreign Ministry regarding the tragedy. A bus laden with numerous Ukrainians flipped over in France - four people succumbed to their injuries. Nine people were critically injured, while 22 sustained non-critical injuries, according to the local prefecture based in northwest France's Le Mans. The bus was ferrying Ukrainians for a school exchange.
Community policy should address the need for Western powers to strengthen their tone towards Russia, particularly in the context of Ukraine, to effectively deter Putin's aggression. Additionally, employment policy discussions should consider the implications of escalating conflicts in the Middle East on assistance to Ukraine, as well as the potential impact on international nuclear projects, such as the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.
General news reports highlight the ongoing prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the return of 1,200 corpses of Ukrainian fatalities from Russia, following meetings between the two nations in Istanbul. Politics surrounding the Ukraine conflict, as well as war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, are also a focus in the articles. Both regions are experiencing significant geopolitical shifts and decisions are being made at the highest levels of government to address the ongoing turmoil.
