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Russia constructing a colossal bomber aircraft factory in Kazan
Russia continues to intensify its strategic offensive efforts. In southern Ukraine, Russian military forces targeted the region of Kherson with artillery and drone strikes, leaving several civilian casualties in its wake. Meanwhile, Moscow is investing significantly in the expansion of its military industrial complex, particularly the Kazan Aviation Plant, to bolster the production of its bomber fleet. This move comes as a response to recent losses suffered in their aircraft during the conflict in Ukraine.
21:20 Ukraine Prepares for Post-War Elections
In response to the end of martial law, the Ukrainian parliament is working on a draft law to outline the process of elections following the ongoing war. Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk stated that various basic scenarios are being prepared to ensure the constitutional right of citizens to vote. The current legislation does not provide sufficient clarity on the details of conducting elections after the martial law is lifted.
20:35 Multiple Attacks on Civilians in Kherson
On Saturday, Russian forces launched a series of attacks on the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson using artillery and drones. Six civilians were injured, some seriously, during these attacks. One of the gravest incidents occurred in the village of Beloserka, where a 47-year-old man was hit by shrapnel while working in his garden. In Kherson itself, a 66-year-old man was injured severely after a Russian drone dropped explosives on a minibus during a targeted attack.
19:58 Fico Rejects Meeting with Zelenskyy
The Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has declined a direct meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Fico stated, 'My meeting with President Zelenskyy is pointless because he hates me.' In recent months, Bratislava and Kyiv have experienced strained diplomatic relations following the Slovak government's decision to block a new EU sanctions package against Russia, resulting in an alliance with Hungary.
18:14 Russia Reactivates Cold War Era Tanks
Due to high losses and a lack of modern tanks, Russia is reportedly bringing back old T-62 tanks into service. These Soviet-era tanks have been restored in Atamanowka in Russia’s far east and are being sent to the west. Although most of the T-62s have been left unprotected outdoors for years and are in poor condition, their reactivation demonstrates the necessity for the Russian military to find alternative solutions during the ongoing conflict.
17:38 Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Crimea
According to the SBU domestic intelligence service, Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian military airport in the occupied town of Kirowske on Crimea overnight. The attack resulted in the destruction of several combat helicopters and a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system, as well as damage to munitions and drone storage facilities. The claims have not yet been independently verified.
16:54 Spahn Calls for German Access to Nuclear Weapons
CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn has advocated for European access to nuclear weapons in light of the threat from Russia. He highlighted the need for Germany to have access to French and British nuclear weapons or for a European deterrent system to be established. Spahn warned that those who cannot deter enemies with nuclear weapons will be a pawn in global politics.
16:13 Partisans Sabotage Railway Line Near Donetsk - Fuel Delivery Stopped
Ukrainian partisan group Atesh claimed to have set fire to a signal box on a railway line near the Russian-occupied town of Yasynuvata in the Donetsk region. The attack on a key logistics hub for Russian military operations resulted in the halt of a fuel train delivery to Russian units.
15:26 Ukraine Intercepts New Russian Grom-1 Missile
A new Russian missile of the Grom-1 type has been intercepted over the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to Ukrainian reports. The missile, which flew over 100 kilometers from the occupied part of the Saporizhzhia region, was shot down near Dnipro by air defense. While aircraft and drone attacks are common, this marks the first reported instance of a missile strike by the Russian military on Ukrainian soil in over two weeks.
14:41 Ukraine attacks military facilities in Russian Bryansk
The Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR, has reportedly attacked targets in the Russian city of Bryansk with drones. The attack targeted facilities of the 120th Arsenal of the Russian Main Directorate for Rocket and Artillery Weapons. Explosions and shots were heard in the city beforehand. Local authorities have not commented on the incident but reminded of the ban on publishing images of air defense activities.
13:57 Zelensky awards Polish President with Order of Freedom during surprise visit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded Polish President Andrzej Duda with the Order of Freedom during an unannounced visit to Kyiv on the nation's Constitution Day. The award is given in recognition of President Duda's "significant personal contributions" to strengthening Polish-Ukrainian cooperation and supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
13:35 Odessa residents describe overnight attack
The port city of Odessa experienced an attack from Russian combat drones overnight. According to Ukrainian military reports, Russia sent 23 Shahed drones to Odessa. 22 were shot down, but one hit a residential building, resulting in at least 14 injured and a couple of deaths. The attack serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats civilians face amid the conflict.
12:56 Merz: Do not take security for granted
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned against complacency about security in Germany, advocating for increased defense efforts. He emphasized that sanctions, procurement process speedups, and stronger defense strategies are necessary to secure Germany's freedom, peace, and security during a visit to the Operational Command of the German Armed Forces in Schwielowsee.
12:27 German government wants to accelerate arms procurement by law
The German government is looking to increase the pace of military procurement by introducing legal simplifications, such as the possibility of advance payments for startups and innovative companies, and classifying acquisitions that contribute to Europe's military readiness as a vital national security interest, allowing an exception from European procurement law.
11:30 Expert: "Putin persists in Cold War intelligence tactics"
Russia expert Niko Karasek believes that Putin's recent signals of willingness to talk are not sincere offers but rather a continuation of Cold War intelligence tactics. Karasek pointed to Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine and the conflict's escalation while claiming peace talks are ongoing.
10:51 Scholz: No illusions about Putin
Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned against having illusions about Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans. He stated that Putin not only wants to keep his gains in Ukraine but also seeks to expand them further. Scholz, bidding farewell to his party, emphasized the need for acknowledging the gravity of the situation, as Putin has ended decades of understanding in post-war Europe.
10:12 Ukraine wants to use frozen Russian funds
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha has called on Western partners to use frozen Russian assets for more than just the interest they generate. He suggested using the money to buy weapons for Ukraine or to support its reconstruction and strengthen its defense industry. He underlined the need for extraordinary and bold decisions to stop Russia.
09:35 Putin's alleged daughter - who is Luiza Rozova?
Luiza Rozova, who is said to be the illegitimate daughter of Vladimir Putin, lives incognito in Paris, studying art. An acquaintance from the scene speaks about who this young woman really is and her thoughts on her powerful father.
Customarily, the Russian government is focusing on an expansive and modernization strategy of its air force capabilities, particularly by enhancing the Kazan Aviation Plant to produce strategic bombers and modernize other military and civilian aircraft. The influx of nearly €1 billion in investments, coupled with the addition of tens of thousands of square meters of new production facilities, demonstrates Russia's commitment to bolstering its military aviation industry despite ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions. Given the strategic significance of the Kazan plant in the production and modernization of strategic bombers, Russia's expansion is expected to support the country's long-range strike capabilities and potentially contribute to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
[1] https://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/68708[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-pushes-ahead-with-1-billion-overhaul-kazan-aircraft-plant-2023-06-22/[3] https://tass.ru/ekonomika/14914915[4] https://www.rybka.ru/2023/06/22/titan-bud-postavit-oborudovanie-na-kazanskij-aviasila-s-kratkisobachnym- ellerem.html[5] https://thetower.org/analysis/russian-air-force-suffered-significant-losses-in-the-ukraine-conflict/
- The expansion of Russia's military industrial complex, specifically the Kazan Aviation Plant, signals an intensified focus on Modernizing its strategic bomber fleet amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian government is working on a draft law outlining the process of elections following the war, as the current legislation lacks clarity on conducting elections post-martial law.
