[Korrespondent] 23:29 Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Aleksey Danilov said in an interview with Radio NV that in Belarus today there is no such concentration of troops as on February 24: "We have information about what is happening today on the territory of Belarus. Today we do not see such threats, because there are not enough forces and means to make such an offensive, as was the case on February 24.
23:27 The head of the Kherson Regional Council Oleksandr Samoylenko, in an interview with Ukrinform, called on the residents of the Kherson region to leave the region, including through Crimea, which "will facilitate the work of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" during the liberation of the territories. According to him, "the Armed Forces of Ukraine should have a springboard for activities."
Samoilenko recalled "what was the agony of the occupiers before leaving Bucha and Irpen, or how the Russians" liberated "Mariupol, completely destroying the city of 400,000." "For Kherson, this variant of liberation is unacceptable. And the President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Minister of Defense understand this - if the city is demolished, then why liberate it?" he noted.
Therefore, the head of the Kherson Regional Council called on "everyone who has such an opportunity" to leave the occupied territory. At the same time, he admitted that the only way for an organized exit from Kherson is through the occupied Crimea: “As for leaving through Crimea, I think: if a person saves his life and his family, then let him go. In my opinion, with moral point of view, we have no right to condemn them, just as I do not condemn a single person who remains and waits for liberation.
22:47 Scholz said in an interview with DPA that it is necessary to talk to Putin in the conditions of the war in Ukraine: “It is absolutely necessary to talk to Putin, and I will continue to do it, like the President of France... When I talk to Putin, I say, for example , the same things as you: please understand that there will be no dictated world. And if you think that you can steal the earth, and then hope that times will change and everything will be as it was, then you are mistaken. "
22:21 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson unexpectedly again arrived in Kiev - for the second time after the start of the war - and again without an announcement or warning. Read more about his visit in the material Johnson's Adventures in Kiev .
22:15 Lisichansk remains completely under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said the head of the Luhansk OVA Serhiy Gaidai. According to him, the infrastructure in the city has been destroyed, there is neither gas nor water. At the same time, it is not shelled as often as Severodonetsk, but the shelling is more powerful, the destruction is "catastrophic". There is an opportunity to leave the city, it is also possible to deliver humanitarian cargo.
22:13 Ukraine will receive from international partners underwater drones for demining water bodies, Interior Minister Denis Monastyrsky said on the air of the telethon. He warned that most water bodies are dangerous today - we are talking about Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkov regions, as well as southern Ukraine.
"There will be a long demining process where hostilities took place. We need special equipment, equipment, which we have very little. Now we are talking about, for example, underwater mine-clearing drones. We turned to our international partners, colleagues from the European Union - they will help us help both with teams that will come from abroad, and directly with equipment for such demining," the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained.
22:03 During the full-scale war, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost from 30% to 40% of equipment, in some units up to 50%, Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Karpenko said in an interview with National Defense. He clarified that this is about 1300 infantry fighting vehicles, 400 tanks, 700 artillery systems. At the same time, according to him, international assistance covers only 10-15% of the needs of the Ukrainian army.
The general also believes that in order to fully cover the front line, where active battles are taking place, Ukraine needs to fully equip 40 brigades, for which a total of 4,000 infantry fighting vehicles, 1,200 tanks and almost 2,200 artillery systems are needed.
21:49 Zelensky said that he had spoken today with Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, and a conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Rutte is also scheduled today. "In general, the week was most useful for Ukraine - in many directions. And today I want to thank US President Biden for the fact that American support for Ukraine is increasing weekly. And this week we have significant results on the front lines - precisely thanks to the support of the United States," he said. Zelensky in the evening video message.
21:35 Zelensky, in an evening video message, announced the release of Tyra, a Ukrainian medic and volunteer Yulia Paevskaya , who was captured by the Russians at the beginning of a full-scale invasion. According to the President, she is already at home. "We will continue to work to take away all our people," he stressed.
21:17 Merkel admitted that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was connected, among other things, with her resignation: "My resignation could play a role in this, as well as the elections in France, and the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, as well as the failure to implement the Minsk agreements ".
At the same time, in an interview with RND, she admitted that negotiations with Putin at the end of her tenure at the head of the German government no longer produced any results and made no sense. Putin, according to Merkel, made it clear that he did not consider her as a serious interlocutor because of the upcoming resignation.
At the same time, Merkel does not rule out that she will be able to play a role in the negotiations to end the Russian war against Ukraine in the future. However, according to her, the question of her participation as an intermediary has not yet been raised.
21:14 In the Donetsk region on June 17, the Russians killed four civilians of Donbass: two in Panteleymonovka, one each in Bakhmut and Krasnogorovka. Another six civilians were injured, Pavel Kirilenko, head of the OVA, said.
20:59 Kuleba said that Denmark supports granting Ukraine the status of an EU candidate: "I spoke with Jeppe Kofod, who assured me that Denmark supports granting Ukraine the status of an EU candidate. I am grateful to Jeppe for the support. I told him that this The decision inspires every Ukrainian, including those who are now on the front lines."
Denmark has previously stated that Ukraine does not fully meet the criteria related to the stability of institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect and protection of minorities. Copenhagen saw "generally a very early stage" of Ukraine's readiness to commit itself to EU membership and create a market economy.
20:30 Leonid Slutsky, a member of the Russian delegation at the talks with Ukraine, does not rule out that negotiations with Ukraine will continue in the near future: "I'm not sure, but I don't rule it out." He specified that the talks could be resumed "only on the basis of the agenda of the President of the Russian Federation."
20:28 Ukraine will receive security guarantees when there are no Russian troops on its territory, Johnson said during a joint briefing with Zelensky. Also, in his opinion, negotiations on the future of Ukraine can begin when Kyiv controls the entire territory of the country.
20:24 Slovenian Defense Minister Marjan Sarec said that his country had delivered Kalashnikov assault rifles, helmets, body armor, other equipment and 35 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The official added that arms deliveries are currently ongoing.
At the same time, Sarec noted that Slovenia has exhausted its arsenal of what it can provide at the moment. According to him, in the future, Slovenia may offer Ukraine assistance with mine clearance and training for Ukrainian troops on Slovenian soil.
20:19 Kuleba is convinced that Ukraine's victory will not lead to a nuclear war: "Putin is not suicidal. Ukraine's victory will not lead to a nuclear war. Such fears can be deliberately fueled by the Kremlin itself for strategic purposes. Putin is a master of gaslighting, and I am sure that the Russians themselves are spreading worries about a cornered Putin in order to dampen Western support for Ukraine."
20:16 The Ukrainian leadership says that it will hit the "construction of the century" of the occupiers as soon as the opportunity arises. The experts disagreed. More details in the article How the Armed Forces of Ukraine can get to the Crimean bridge .
20:02 The tugboat Vasily Bekh, which was shot down by the Ukrainian military, sank, said the head of the Odessa OVA Maxim Marchenko. According to him, the ship was carrying ammunition and weapons, as a result of the shelling, 70% of the crew were hit.
19:58 The Ukrainian Defense Forces forced the enemy to leave the village of Dmitrovka, Izyumsky district, Kharkiv region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. In the areas of Sirotino and Metelkino, the Ukrainian military successfully repulsed the assault, the enemy retreated to their previously occupied positions with losses. Near the Mountainous Armed Forces of Ukraine, an attempt by enemy reconnaissance in force was suppressed by selective fire. In the areas of the settlements of Berestovo and Kodema, the enemy suffered losses and retreated.
19:37 In the fourth month of the war against Russia, Ukraine decided to introduce a visa regime for citizens of the aggressor country. Zelensky said that from July 1, 2022, Ukraine will introduce a visa regime for entry for Russians. The Cabinet of Ministers has already approved the corresponding decision. About what will change from July 1 - in the material Visas for Russians .
19:26 Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said that the European Commission "acted very wisely" by finding a compromise between granting Ukraine a candidacy and stating that there is still a lot of work to be done in at least seven areas. "This is the first step of many, but the Netherlands has decided to follow the Commission's recommendations," he said.
In turn, Yermak said that Kyiv is well aware of the entire scope of work: "It should also be remembered that Ukraine will carry out all the necessary reforms in conditions in which none of the countries of Europe did this - during a large-scale war with Russia. But it will "To stimulate even more. We want to end the war, we know exactly how to carry out the reforms that are expected of us. And we will do everything for Ukraine to be in the EU. This is a great quest that we will go through together."
19:10 Johnson offered Zelensky a training program for the Ukrainian military on British soil, writes The Independent: "The Ukrainian military uses British missiles to protect the sovereignty of your state, but also to protect the same freedoms that we take for granted. That is why I proposed to President Zelenskiy a massive new military training program that could change the balance of this war."
Johnson specified that the British military could train up to 10,000 Ukrainian troops every 120 days.
18:57 Zelensky spoke about the main topics of negotiations with Johnson: "The need to increase the supply of heavy weapons and air defense systems, Ukraine's need for economic support, new vectors for increasing sanctions pressure on Russia, compensation by the aggressor for all losses inflicted on our country, Russia's responsibility for the provoked food crisis, filling with practical steps the process of reconstruction of the regions over which the United Kingdom took patronage.
18:45 The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during the SPIEF called the "LPR" and "DPR" quasi-states and noted that, most likely, Kazakhstan does not recognize them.
18:39 Putin said that Russia has nothing against Ukraine's possible entry into the EU, since it is not a military bloc: "Whether Ukraine's entry into the EU will benefit them is the business of Ukrainians and Ukrainian authorities today." He also said that "the Ukrainian people are talented, they have great potential, sooner or later the situation will normalize there, and improvement of relations is inevitable."
In addition, Putin assured that Russia "does not threaten anyone with nuclear weapons - we have them, everyone should know about it." According to him, Russia will use it "if it is necessary to protect sovereignty."
"We must not turn the cities we liberate into something like Stalingrad," the Russian president said. And answering the question whether Russia would leave the Donbass and the "liberated" territories of Ukraine, he stressed that Russia would "protect their interests", but in the end, "their future will depend only on these people, we will respect whatever they choose."
18:13 The defense forces repulsed the assault and pushed back the Russians in the Zolote area, said Defense Ministry spokesman Alexander Motuzyanik.
18:07 By shelling Donetsk, the Russian army diverts attention from the catastrophe of Mariupol, Severodonetsk, Lisichansk, Popasnaya and other cities of Donbass and Lugansk region, said the mayor of Mariupol Vadim Boychenko. In his opinion, in this way the Russian Federation seeks to "fool the head" of the inhabitants of the occupied regions of Donbass, turn people against the Ukrainian army, break resistance and strangle the partisan movement. Another goal of such actions is to create informational noise to divert attention from the criminal actions of the Russian army itself.
"For Russians, Donetsk is the same Ukrainian city as Mariupol. Therefore, they do not spare it. Just to get a picture for the media. Ukrainian artillery strikes accurately and exclusively at military targets. Russian - destroys entire cities," Boychenko emphasized.
18:01 Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, more than 5.7 million people have left Ukraine, and more than 2.8 million Ukrainians have already returned, the European agency Frontex reported.
17:50 In Kiev, the use of pyrotechnics, as well as loud music and loudspeakers, was banned, the city military administration said.
17:45 Shmyhal said that the five "visa-free" visas with the EU, which Ukraine planned to receive within three years, have almost been completed. We are talking about agreements in the field of energy, customs, transportation, the digital market and trade conditions. The Prime Minister recalled that Ukraine received "energy visa-free" in March. The EU has abolished all quotas and duties on the export of Ukrainian products. An agreement on the liberalization of road transport has already been agreed with the EU. And the draft law on harmonization of the customs codes of Ukraine and the EU is already in the Verkhovna Rada.
"Today we have taken a step towards a "digital visa-free" - we have approved a delegation for negotiations between Ukraine and the EU on participation in the Digital Europe program. This is a large-scale project for 7.5 billion euros that finances research and programs in the field of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital skills. Participation in the program will speed up the receipt of a “digital visa-free regime” for Ukraine with the EU,” Shmyhal said.
17:42 Yermak said that the Ukrainian side discussed with Johnson "the need to supply heavy weapons and air defense systems, economic support for Ukraine, increased sanctions pressure on Russia, in particular, the proposals of the McFaul-Yermak international group, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine and the need for compensation Russia's damage to our state and, of course, our victory in the War of Independence."
17:33 Johnson arrived in Kyiv again, Zelensky said.
16:56 In Mariupol, the so-called. The "leadership" of educational institutions forbids children to communicate in Ukrainian, threatening "unforeseen consequences for children and parents," said Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
16:52 The invasion of Ukraine was "forced and necessary", based on the right of the sovereign state of the Russian Federation, Putin said: "The West has fundamentally refused to fulfill its obligations previously assumed. It turned out to be simply impossible to reach any new agreements with it. In the current situation on against the backdrop of increasing risks and threats for us, Russia's decision to conduct a special military operation was forced, difficult, of course, but forced and necessary. This is the decision of a sovereign country that has an unconditional right, based, by the way, on the UN Charter, to defend its security." .
According to him, the West "pumped Ukraine with weapons and military advisers, continuing to do so now." "Sovereignty in the 21st century cannot be partial, fragmented. It is important for us to defend not only political independence, but also economic and personnel independence," Putin said.
16:50 Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko said he was going to appeal the decision to move Eurovision 2023 from Ukraine to the UK.
16:31 Putin, in his speech at the SPIEF, said that after the victory in the Cold War, "the United States declared itself to be the messengers of the Lord on Earth" and is building a world order for itself and for its allies, not taking into account the interests of other peoples of the world: "The countries of the golden billion are still they consider everyone else their colonies, second-class people, and they themselves are exceptional ... It is a mistake to believe that everything will be as before. It will not be."
He also talked about how Russia copes with Western sanctions and how these sanctions hit the West itself. And also that the European Union "has lost its political sovereignty and is dancing to someone else's tune." Putin predicted the EU "growth of inequality and change of elites." And the war in Ukraine, according to him, is not the main cause of global inflation and the growing crisis in world markets - it happened because of the issue of money from the US and the EU.
16:18 At 40 kilometers from Severodonetsk, through Svatovo in the direction of Starobelsk, the Russians moved tanks, armored vehicles, automotive and engineering equipment, said Defense Ministry spokesman Alexander Motuzyanik. Also in the direction of Popasnaya - Nikolaevka, the occupiers brought in two battalions from the first and second army corps, which were restoring their combat capability.
16:02 Last night, a Russian warship twice violated Danish territorial waters north of the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, the Danish Defense Command reported. After the Danish Navy's maritime response unit was called, the Russian ship left Danish territorial waters.
15:43 Lukashenka warned Kiev against strikes against Russia: "In no case should this be done. Because Russia will already use a new level of weapons. And they will use it against Kiev, against those who make these decisions."
15:41 Norway supported the EU sanctions and banned the import of Russian oil, said Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt. The embargo comes into force immediately, but provides for transitional periods: until December 5, 2022 - for crude oil, until February 5, 2023 - for petroleum products.
15:39 The Cabinet of Ministers decided to introduce a visa regime with Russia , Shmygal said: "In order to counter the unprecedented threats to national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, the government, in pursuance of the instructions of the President of Ukraine, has just decided to terminate the agreement with the Russian Federation on a visa-free regime ".
The Prime Minister stressed that from July 1, Russians will not be able to enter Ukraine without obtaining a visa.
15:27 As a result of morning missile attacks on Nikolaev, 21 apartment buildings, three private houses, a transformer substation, a sports club and an industrial facility were damaged, Mayor Alexander Senkevich said. Two people died, another 20 were injured (16 of them were hospitalized, four refused hospitalization). Among the wounded are two children.
15:13 Binance, one of the world's largest crypto exchanges, has allocated $1.2 million to help Ukrainians with the status of temporarily displaced persons. This became possible thanks to the cooperation of the Ministry of Digital Development with the founder of Binance - CZ, Mikhail Fedorov said. According to him, this is one of the largest donations made by a private company for Ukraine.
Within three months, payments will be received on a crypto wallet, and then they can be withdrawn to a bank card ($75 per month). A pilot project has been launched in the Lviv region, and 1,000 people have already received payments.
15:10 The Naval Forces of Ukraine reported the destruction of the Russian tugboat Vasily Bekh, which was delivering ammunition, weapons and military personnel to Snake Island. The Tor anti-aircraft missile system was installed on board, but this did not prevent the ship from sinking with the help of American Harpoon missiles. Read more about what happened in the material Floating fire .
15:04 The SBU exposed a bandit formation in Kiev, which acted under the guise of a local terrorist defense. The gang consisted of five people of different nationalities, their actions were coordinated by the special services of the Russian Federation, the leader of the gang was a native of Dagestan. The gang members entered the local terrorist defense of one of the districts of the capital, received machine guns on forged documents. They seized 29 Kalashnikov assault rifles, 1.2 kg of explosives, grenades, a grenade launcher, and a machine gun.
15:02 Macron, Scholz and Draghi did not persuade Zelensky to negotiate with Moscow, said the press secretary of the President of Ukraine Serhiy Nikiforov: "On the contrary, yesterday at the meeting it was said that only Ukraine can independently determine when and under what conditions to sit down at the negotiating table with Russia".
14:51 Today at 10:10 a Russian rocket hit the territory of the industrial zone of Pervomaisk, Kharkiv region. Critical infrastructure was destroyed as a result of Russian shelling and one person was injured, Mayor Nikolai Baksheev said.
14:48 The command of the Legion of Freedom of Russia, together with the command of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, decided to speed up the process of checking candidates, which previously took more than two months.
14:47 Lukashenka said that Poland has views on Western Ukraine: "Here we will have to react. Because we cannot allow the Poles to surround us at all. This is a dangerous option. And I once said: the Ukrainians will also ask us with the Russians so that we help them maintain their integrity. So that they do not chop off. <...> We see this. Therefore, I have to keep the armed forces on the alert in the west, and in the south. I lined up ten units along the border behind the back of the border guards so that they would not get into Belarus. And there were such thoughts."
14:45 Ukraine "will not live" to join the European Union, Vyacheslav Nikonov, First Deputy Head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said: "This is only a recommendation of the European Commission. There is no consent necessary for a decision - at least the Dutch and Danes are against. The status, most likely, will not be given And even if they suddenly give it... Turkey has been a candidate since 1999. Ukraine will have to wait longer.
14:43 Putin, due to powerful DDoS attacks on SPIEF accreditation systems, decided to postpone his speech for an hour - to 15:00. By this time, problems with badge access to the SPIEF plenary will be resolved, Peskov said.
14:41 Peskov commented on the idea of "liberating all Russian cities" in Ukraine: "The purpose of the special operation is to save Donbass from barbaric acts by the Kiev military."
And answering the question about how the Kremlin is now looking at the prospects for Ukraine's membership in the EU, and whether this differs from the attitude towards the topic of its entry into NATO, Peskov said that "it still remains a different plane." But he clarified: "Although this requires our increased attention, because we all know about the intensification of discussions in Europe on the subject of strengthening the defense component of the European Union, the military, defense and security component, therefore, various transformations are taking place there, which we, of course, most carefully way we observe."
14:33 Novograd-Volynsky of the Zhytomyr region refuses the name given by Empress Catherine II and returns to itself the historical name Zvyagel. This decision was made by the City Council with 22 votes "for" out of 30 deputies present.
In ancient times, the city was called Vozvyagl, then until the 19th century - during the time of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Commonwealth - Zvyagel. In 1795, the city was renamed Novograd-Volynsky by decree of the Russian Empress. Some of the townspeople consider the toponym to be colonial, so they tried to change it several times. The final decision on the renaming will be approved by the Zhytomyr Regional Council, and then by the Verkhovna Rada.
14:22 Zelensky reacted to the conclusion of the European Commission on granting Ukraine candidate status: "This is the first step towards EU membership, which will certainly bring our victory closer. Thanks to President Ursula von der Leyen and every member of the EC for the historic decision. I look forward to positive results for next week".
14:13 Ukraine will not be able to host Eurovision 2023, the competition will be given to the UK, the organizers said.
"The EBU would like to thank UA.Suspіlne for their sincere cooperation and dedication to exploring all scenarios in the weeks following Kalush Orchestra's victory on May 14 in Turin and to share their sadness and disappointment that next year's competition cannot be held in Ukraine ", the organization said.
14:06 Ukraine has already implemented about 70% of the rules, norms and standards of the European Union, said Ursula von der Leyen: "But there is still important work to be done on the rule of law, oligarchs, the fight against corruption and fundamental rights." She emphasized that the process is based on benefits and therefore completely depends on Ukraine.
"Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective. We want them to live with us in the European dream," the head of the European Commission said.
13:59 Ukraine introduces a visa regime for citizens of the Russian Federation , Zelensky said: "As part of countering unprecedented threats to national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, I proposed to the Cabinet of Ministers to work out the issue of revising the regime for the entry of Russian citizens into the territory of Ukraine." Today, according to the president, the Cabinet of Ministers must adopt an appropriate resolution. According to the planned decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, from July 1, 2022, Ukraine will introduce a visa regime for entry for citizens of the Russian Federation.
13:41 Kievsky district of Donetsk was under heavy shelling, the "DPR" reports that the Zasyadko mine is de-energized, 76 miners are underground.
13:27 The European Commission recommended granting the status of candidates to Ukraine and Moldova, and also not to grant such status to Georgia until a number of conditions are met. The final decision should be taken by the EU countries at the summit on June 23-24. The decision will be considered adopted if all 27 EU members vote for it.
13:15 The European Commission adopted a recommendation to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership. As Ursula von der Leyen stated, Ukraine is a European state that has demonstrated the stability of its institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, as well as human rights and respect and protection of national minorities.
The European Commission also gives an action plan that needs to be completed to start Ukraine's negotiations on joining the EU. Required steps include:
- adoption and implementation of legislation on the procedure for selecting judges of the Constitutional Court, including the process of pre-selection based on an assessment of their integrity and professional skills, in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission;
- completion of the integrity check of candidates for members of the High Council of Justice and selection of candidates for the High Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine;
- further strengthening the fight against corruption, in particular at a high level, completing the selection and appointment of a new director of NABU and a prosecutor of the SAPO;
- ensuring that anti-money laundering legislation is in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards;
- adoption of a comprehensive strategic plan for reforming the entire law enforcement sector as part of Ukraine's security environment;
- should earn an "anti-oligarchic" law;
- media legislation should be brought into line with European audiovisual legislation;
- it is necessary to complete the reform of the legislative framework for national minorities, which is currently being prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission, and develop mechanisms for its implementation.
"Our task is to do everything as quickly as possible. We are working. Ukraine will be in the EU," Yermak wrote.
12:48 The SBU announced that it had neutralized an extensive network of Russian agents, which was coordinated by Aksyonov's adviser. During the special operation in Kyiv, Kharkov, Odessa, Zaporozhye, as well as in the Dnepropetrovsk and Vinnitsa regions, 19 enemy agents were detained. The detainees corrected the rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities and reconnoitred the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, collected information about the places where Russian prisoners were kept.
According to the investigation, the group was led by an FSB agent who was in one of the districts of Kherson. He passed the intelligence received from informants to representatives of the Russian special services, among whom was Aksyonov's adviser.
12:44 In Icelandic Reykjavik, a square called Kiev was opened. The photo was published by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland and Iceland Olga Dibrova. On April 27, the local authorities decided to name the square Kænugarður (the name of Kyiv, known to the Icelanders from the ancient sagas). The name of the square in English is Kyiv Square and a similar translation will be used in other languages.
12:31 Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the State Bureau of Investigation has opened 530 cases against traitors and collaborators. Already 140 defendants have been notified of suspicion, 79 have been put on the wanted list, almost a thousand people are being checked.
12:18 The number of victims as a result of the morning shelling of Nikolaev increased to two, 20 people were injured , the head of the OVA Vitaly Kim said. According to the State Emergency Service, rockets damaged five residential buildings, four of them five-story and one two-story.
12:09 The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation stated that in the Pesochin area of the Kharkiv region, the headquarters of the Azov unit was destroyed by missiles.
12:06 France no longer receives Russian pipeline gas, AFP reports with reference to the French gas transportation company GRTGaz.
12:04 According to preliminary data from OK Pivden, 70% of the crew of the Russian tugboat Vasily Bekh was hit, the fate of the rest is unknown. Enemy ships are trying to conduct a search and rescue operation. According to Wikipedia, the crew of the ship is 26 people.
11:57 The UN has confirmed the death of 1,348 people in Mariupol, including 70 children, but the organization admits that the real numbers are much higher.
11:54 Portugal is ready to train the Ukrainian military, but new deliveries of weapons are not being considered at the moment, said Defense Minister Elena Carreiras. She recalled that Portugal had already provided Ukraine with "lethal and non-lethal military materials, equipment, ammunition, weapons, as well as communications and medical supplies."
The minister clarified that there has not yet been a request for training of the Ukrainian military, but such a need may arise. Then the Ukrainians will be able to learn how to maneuver Leopard tanks, demining and disarming explosive devices. Portugal is also ready to receive Ukrainian wounded.
11:52 The Netherlands is seeking a "hard" approach of the EU to the candidacy of Ukraine. According to EuObserver, an unofficial Dutch document on Kyiv's bid states that "the Netherlands reaffirms its commitment to the enlargement process." However, the country notes that it "reaffirms the need for fair and strict conditions" in moving Ukraine forward.
11:46 Ukraine could not become a candidate for the EU "under normal conditions," Macron said and added: "We are doing this because there is a war." However, he said that Ukraine is part of the European family. "The road will be long, but it is a sign of hope," the French leader warned, adding that it was also "a message addressed to Russia."
11:27 Scholz, Macron and Draghi "behind closed doors" asked Zelensky to resume negotiations with Putin, writes Die Welt. The publication notes that the economic damage that their countries are suffering because of the war is becoming greater and more difficult to compensate. Economic growth slowed sharply, and inflation reached record levels.
11:24 Estonia built the first fortified section of the border with the Russian Federation ahead of schedule. The site was planned to be completed in 2023, but the rapid pace of construction and favorable weather conditions made it possible to complete the project earlier. The height of the protective fence is about two meters, the border strip is equipped with modern surveillance systems.
11:08 Biden said in an interview with AP that the US would have faced much more serious consequences than expensive fuel if he had stood aside during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The President recalled that before imposing sanctions against Russia, he warned that he would have to pay for it: "It's not free, but the consequences of inaction would be worse."
According to him, if Putin had not been stopped in Ukraine, he would have gone further, and the Czech Republic, Poland, "and other NATO countries" would have suffered.
11:01 Physically getting out of the territory of Severodonetsk Azot is now impossible and simply dangerous because of the constant shelling and fighting, said the head of the Luhansk OVA Serhiy Gaidai. According to him, there are 568 people in the shelter, including 38 children. He stressed that last month, when the authorities proposed, these people refused to evacuate. Now exit from the building of the plant is possible only with a complete ceasefire. Gaidai noted that Severodonetsk is not blocked, there is communication with the city.
10:54 Zaporozhye Regional State Administration reported that over the Volnyansky district today at about 10:00, air defense forces shot down a Russian missile. According to preliminary information, there are no casualties or destruction.
10:25 In the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation today, during a planned training flight, a Su-25 aircraft crashed, the press service of the Western Military District reported. The pilot ejected. According to preliminary information, a technical malfunction could become the cause of the incident. Russian media report that the attack aircraft hit a power line pole.
10:23 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the enemy on the morning of June 17. The enemy suffered the greatest losses in the Bakhmut direction.
- personnel - about 32,150 (+200) people liquidated,
- tanks - 1456 (+7),
- armored combat vehicles - 3563 (+18),
- artillery systems - 734 (+5),
- MLRS - 233 (+3),
- air defense systems - 97 (+0),
- aircraft - 215 (+2),
- helicopters - 180 (+1),
- UAV operational-tactical level - 593 (+2),
- cruise missiles - 129 (+0),
- ships/boats - 13 (+0),
- automotive equipment and tankers - 2496 (+2),
- special equipment - 55 (+0).
10:15 Putin's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, called a fake message about the export of a large consignment of grain by Russia from Ukraine to Syria.
10:09 Russian tugboat Vasily Bekh was hit by a Harpoon missile from the Ukrainian coast, said the head of the Odesa OVA Maxim Marchenko.
10:07 British intelligence reported that during the day, Russian forces probably continued to try to gain momentum in the direction of Popasna to encircle the Severodonetsk pocket from the south.
Analysts also note that in Russia the war "accelerated the state's long-term path to authoritarianism." Thus, the State Duma began the process of introducing a 20-year term for Russians who are fighting against the Russian Federation. Speaking out against the invasion is also subject to criminal prosecution. Despite the statement of the majority of Russians about their support for the "special operation", part of the population "both actively and passively demonstrates its disagreement."
10:05 The Russians fired cluster munitions at Zolochiv in the Kharkiv region, Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA, said. Seven houses were damaged, two people were injured. In total, at least ten houses, a school and an apartment building were damaged in the region per day. In the area of Izyum, the enemy is unsuccessfully trying to advance on Slavyansk.
10:03 Macron said in an interview with TF1 that a route for the export of grain from Ukraine through Romania is being worked out. According to him, at the moment, the unblocking of the Odessa port for the creation of a sea corridor and the export of Ukrainian grain is difficult. Russia refuses to give the go-ahead to a UN framework agreement, making any safe operation in the Black Sea impossible.
09:59 In the Black Sea, the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit the tugboat of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation Vasily Bekh with the Tor air defense system on board. According to the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the tug was hit while transporting ammunition, weapons and personnel of the Black Sea Fleet to Snake Island. Vasily Bekh with a displacement of 1605 tons was accepted into the Russian Black Sea Fleet in 2017.
09:56 In Mariupol, every day 10-15 people go to doctors with symptoms of cholera or dysentery (diarrhea, vomiting, headaches). There are no reagents for testing in the city, there are no antibiotics either, so people are simply sent home, according to the mayor's adviser Petr Andryushchenko, citing sources from the circle of collaborators. According to him, the occupiers limited communication with Mariupol residents in hospitals.
Another problem is insulin of poor quality and insufficient volume. Sources speak of a sudden increase in limb amputations in diabetic patients in the last week - at least two operations daily.
09:45 Zelensky addressed the participants of the Prespa Forum Dialogue: "Any serious discussion of the security architecture in Europe should be based on the need to free Europe from the chains of dependence that the Russian state has been creating for decades. Security is simply impossible without this, and this is the same and for the north of Europe, and for the south, and for the west, and for the east. That is why such sanctions are needed against Russia for its anti-European policy, so that they forever remember the price, including for the food crisis. Whoever creates artificial hunger must become global pariah and suffer painful damage. This should be taken into account when preparing the seventh EU sanctions package."
09:27 Putin used about 25% of the power of his army to retake "a tiny part of the territory" and get 50 thousand people killed or wounded, Admiral Tony Radakin, head of the British armed forces, told PA Media in an interview. He called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a big mistake and stressed that Moscow would never take Ukraine under its control: "Russia has already lost strategically. NATO is stronger, Finland and Sweden want to join."
Radakin notes that while Putin may make tactical gains in the coming weeks, it will cost him dearly: "And Russia has vulnerabilities because it's running out of people, running out of high-tech missiles."
09:04 In the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, a border village was shelled, Governor Roman Starovoit said. According to him, "the enemy's firing point was quickly suppressed," there were no casualties.
In turn, the head of the Sumy OVA, Dmitry Zhivitsky, said that the Russians again fired at the border area in the Khotyn community from a mortar, there were no casualties or destruction.
08:41 The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have resumed preparations for a counteroffensive west of Izyum. Also, a counteroffensive of Ukrainian troops is possible in the Kherson region. Russian troops continued to carry out ground strikes against Severodonetsk, but carried out unsuccessful offensives northwest of Slovyansk. To the north and northeast of Kharkov, fighting continues without territorial changes.
08:35 In the Luhansk region, the enemy has been moved away from Zolote, in Lisichansk and Severodonetsk, six people were killed, said the head of the OVA Serhiy Gaidai. According to him, the number of attacks by the Russian army is growing daily.
08:32 Reznikov summed up his visit to Brussels, where a meeting on the defense of Ukraine was held in the Ramstein format: "The key: there will be deliveries. Quality deliveries. But not everything can be voiced now. Everything will be later."
The Minister of Defense also announced the tasks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at three stages of the war:
Stopping the Russian offensive - "for this we need a quick reinforcement through the supply of artillery, tanks and armored vehicles, air defense systems, etc."
"Exit as soon as possible to the line of demarcation and the administrative border as of February 24."
"Our global goal is the de-occupation and reintegration of all territories of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders."
At the same time, Ukraine is not going to attack Russian territory, Reznikov assured.
08:26 The head of the Nikolaev OVA Vitaly Kim reported that four residential multi-storey buildings and an infrastructure facility suffered from a missile attack. At the moment, there is information about one dead and six injured, including one child.
08:21 This morning Russians hit with rockets across Nikolaev, houses were damaged, mayor Alexander Senkevich reported. Rescuers, doctors and public utilities are working on the spot.
07:53 Dnipropetrovsk region was again fired from artillery: an enemy strike, inflicted late in the evening on June 16, hit the village of Velikaya Kostromka, Zelenodolsk community. There were no casualties, said the head of the OVA Valentin Reznichenko.
07:37 Troops of the Russian Federation unsuccessfully attacked in three directions, and Ukrainian aviation struck at clusters of Russians in the regions of Kherson region. The Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled the assault of the enemy near Slavyansk and Bakhmut, there are successes of the Ukrainian army in the Zaporozhye region, the General Staff reports in the morning summary .
07:35 Today, the European Commission will propose to grant Ukraine and Moldova the status of an EU candidate. Conditions will also be set for the transition to the next step, Radio Liberty correspondent Rikard Jozwiak said.
07:07 China's statements about neutrality on the issue of war in Ukraine do not correspond to the real state of affairs, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "The fact that China still largely denies the atrocities taking place in Ukraine, the atrocities that we seen with our own eyes through the reports of many media, I think it speaks of the partnership and the choice that China has made."
Price added that "China's position of declared neutrality is nothing more than an empty statement."
06:50 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albaniz received an invitation from Zelensky to visit Kiev. According to the Australian TV channel 9News, the official plans to visit Ukraine at the end of June. Albaniz will also take part in the NATO meeting in Madrid to "support the Ukrainian people."
06:01 NATO is preparing a new defense model for the eastern flank, Stoltenberg said at a press conference following the NATO ministerial meeting: "We have made progress by agreeing on specific conditions, elements of a new defense model, and also heard that several allies are ready to give additional forces to strengthen this model."
He specified that the alliance's new defense model on the eastern flank would be based on three pillars: an increase in forward presence with more combat operations; pre-deployment of military equipment to save time; the tentative definition of units is "these are forces that will be trained in a certain territory, where there will be certain duties."
05:28 The Russians have created at least 20 filtration camps and prisons in the occupied Ukrainian territories, in which Ukrainians are imprisoned, said the permanent representative of Ukraine to international organizations in Vienna Yevhen Tsymbalyuk in the OSCE. At the same time, he noted that Ukrainians are most often kidnapped in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
05:09 The American aerospace company Maxar has shown fresh satellite images showing Russian ships loaded with stolen Ukrainian grain.
03:43 The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warns that the Russians may be staging false flag attacks near Kherson to prevent popular support for Ukrainian counter-offensive operations.
According to analysts, the Russians continue to strengthen reserve positions in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, probably in response to Ukrainian counterattacks. In particular, they improved defensive positions in the area of Bezvodny and Ishchenko, southeast of Davydov Brod. Russian forces are also dismantling concrete irrigation structures in the Kherson region to hide heavy artillery from Ukrainian strikes.
01:41 Macron said he was ready to go to Russia if necessary, but under certain conditions: "Someone does not understand why I continue to talk with Putin. I did this because I see the role of France in this. A visit to Russia? This requires preconditions, which means gestures from Putin. I will continue to speak with him with the knowledge of the President of Ukraine and on the condition that it will be useful."