Ukraine War Live Updates +++ 16:58 Israel Potentially Set to Send Retired Patriot Missile Systems to Ukraine
Israel set to deliver Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine.
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Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, allegedly revealed in an interview with Marichka Dovbenko that Israel aims to transfer retrofitted Patriot missile systems to Ukraine. According to Brodsky, these systems were initially supplied to Israel by the USA in the 1990s and are now sitting in Ukraine[1]. However, the Israeli Foreign Ministry later issued a denial, declaring that Israel has not transferred any Patriot missile systems to Ukraine[2].
16:30 Russian Railways Announces Direct Trains Between Moscow and Pyongyang
Direct train traffic between Moscow and Pyongyang is set to resume on June 17, as announced by Russian Railways[3]. Two days later, a direct connection between Pyongyang and Khabarovsk will also commence. "In agreement with the Ministry of Railways of North Korea, we will resume international direct traffic between Pyongyang and Moscow on June 17 and between Pyongyang and Khabarovsk on June 19. The train will run twice a month between Pyongyang and Moscow, and once a month to Khabarovsk. The trains are scheduled to take eight days to reach Moscow[3]. The route, which spans over 10,000 kilometers, is declared the longest direct railway connection in the world[4]."
16:02 Rutte: NATO Countries Should Expand Air Defense by 400%
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is urging member states to significantly increase air defense to maintain military deterrence and defense[5]. In a manuscript for a speech at the British think tank Chatham House, Rutte suggests that "a 400% increase in air and missile defense" is needed, citing the ongoing Ukrainian war as evidence of the necessity for enhanced air defense[5].
15:40 Canada Provides $35 Million Aid
Canada is providing a military aid package of $35 million to Ukraine. The package includes armored vehicles of the Coyote and Bison brands, equipped with new equipment and ammunition, valued at $30 million from Canadian companies[6]. Furthermore, the remaining $5 million covers the value of electronic warfare anti-jamming systems from the Canadian defense sector.
15:15 Russia Announces Increased Role in African Countries
Russia has announced its intention to expand its presence in African nations, focusing on economic and investment-related interactions, including sensitive areas such as defense and security[7]. This intensified role in the African continent has raised concerns among Western countries like France and the USA, who fear a loss of influence.
14:48 Moscow and Kyiv Exchange Prisoners
Russia and Ukraine have initiated another prisoner exchange, which was agreed upon earlier this month in Istanbul during direct negotiations between representatives from both countries[8]. The first group of young Russian soldiers, imprisoned in Ukraine, has reportedly been released. In exchange, Ukraine received a similar number of prisoners[8].
14:24 Munz: "Russia's Advance in Sumy Has Accelerated"
At the northern front, in the Sumy region, Russian forces have reportedly quickened their territorial gains compared to previous months[9]. While Moscow and Kyiv continue their disagreement regarding the planned prisoner exchange, tensions remain high.
14:00 Ukraine: Destruction After Russian Attacks on Saporischschja
Russian forces have the presumed use of drones and artillery in targeted attacks on various locations in the Ukrainian region of Saporischschja[10]. The settlements and cities of Lobkove, Kamjanske, Hulyai-Polje, Schcherbaky, Novodanilivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Novodarivka, and the regional capital Saporischschja have been impacted. At least one person has been injured in Saporischschja, with residential buildings in one district destroyed or severely damaged[10].
13:28 Russia Reports Retaliatory Strike Against Ukraine
Russian troops claimed to have taken more areas in the Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, following a reported retaliatory strike on an airport near the town of Dubno[11]. The attack is said to have been carried out using long-range air-launched weapons, according to Russian news agencies.
12:56 Ukrainian General Staff Reports Strike on Russian Military Airport
The Ukrainian General Staff in Kyiv claims to have attacked a military airport in the region of Nizhny Novgorod, allegedly hitting two combat aircraft[12]. According to the General Staff's statement, the targeted airport is a "military facility" that produces components for drones[12].
12:25 Videos Allegedly Show Drone Attack on Russian Arms Factory
In the Russian city of Cheboksary, near the Ukrainian border, an electronics plant suspected of producing components for attack drones is reported to have been targeted by drones. Footage supposedly captures the attack and subsequent explosions[13].
References:
[1] Israel may provide Ukraine with retired Patriot missile systems - Assisst[2] Israel: We have not transferred Patriot missile systems to Ukraine[3] Russian railways to connect Moscow and Pyongyang again[4] Moscow-Pyongyang direct rail link to start on June 17[5] NATO chief calls for 400% increase in air and missile defense[6] Canada provides $35 million aid to Ukraine[7] Russia announces enhanced role in Africa[8] Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners[9] Munz: "Russia's Advance in Sumy Has Accelerated"[10] Ukraine: Destruction in Saporischschja After Russian Attacks[11] Russia Claims Retaliatory Strike Against Ukraine[12] Ukrainian General Staff Reports Strike on Russian Military Airport[13] Footage Allegedly Shows Drone Attack on Russian Arms Factory
In light of the ongoing Ukraine War, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged member states to significantly increase air defense to maintain military deterrence and defense, citing the necessity for enhanced air defense in response to the conflict as evidence [5]. Concurrently, general news outlets have reported on various aspects of global politics, including potential Israeli military aid to Ukraine in the form of retired Patriot missile systems [1, 2] and Russia's announced expansion of its presence in African countries, particularly in sensitive areas such as defense and security [7]. Additionally, it has been revealed that Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, and other communication platforms serve as important channels for disseminating updates and insights regarding international conflicts, war-and-conflicts news, and politics, as they provide platforms for ambassadors to share information and for governments to issue official statements.
